Breaking down the key facts of PTSD

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Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional. The content in this article is not a substitute for a licensed mental health professional.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an actual mental health condition that's misunderstood. PTSD is often misperceived, from who can develop the disorder to what the symptoms may look like.

At first glance, PTSD may seem only applicable to soldiers. Facing traumatizing conditions like war can undoubtedly have lasting effects. But PTSD isn't reserved for one type of profession, person, or gender.

Understanding PTSD starts with learning who can develop the disorder.

How Many People Have PTSD?

PTSD is a disorder that affects many people across the United States. In fact, 1 in 11 persons receive a PTSD diagnosis at some point in their lives.

Who can develop PTSD?

There have been different names for PTSD in the past. Terms such as "shell shock" or "combat fatigue" lead us to believe that PTSD is for combat veterans.

Facing conditions of war is not a singular requirement for PTSD, though. In reality, any person, regardless of race, nationality, culture, or age, can develop PTSD.

This means anyone can develop PTSD, not just soldiers at war.

How does PTSD develop?

Many different circumstances can occur that may be traumatizing. PTSD can affect those who have experienced or observed a traumatic incident(s).

PTSD can develop differently from person to person. Some people have experienced multiple traumatic events, such as myself. While others may only have experienced a singular traumatic event. Regardless, the impact of those traumatic events can be profound.

The feelings from those experiences can linger with someone. Long after the horrific incident has passed, those with PTSD continue to have intense, unsettling thoughts and feelings.

Although the incident may have been months or years in the past, it's still fresh in the minds of those with PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD symptoms can vary from person to person. Regardless, symptoms of PTSD must be severe enough to cause discomfort and/or interfere with everyday functioning.

Meaning that the symptoms of PTSD need to affect someone's life on a near-daily basis.

Intrusive Thoughts/Memories

Recurring memories, unsettling dreams, or flashbacks to the traumatic incident are examples of intrusive thoughts. Often, this may be reliving the horrific incident as though it were happening all over again.

A person living with PTSD has no control over the thoughts or memories that may fill their mind.

Avoidance

Staying away from people, places, or activities that bring up the traumatic memory. It's not uncommon to relive the traumatic experience through ordinary life experiences.

For example, if someone is in a car crash, they may experience fear of being in a moving car again.

Arousal/Reactivity

Reactive and arousal symptoms can include irritability and aggressive outbursts.

For example, if someone is attacked by a dog, they may feel on alert after the incident. That person may be jumpy when they hear a dog bark.

Changes in physical and emotional well-being

Being easily alarmed or shocked and constantly alert to danger. Due to the traumatic event, someone may be vigilant for threats.

Cognition and mood

Hopelessness about the future, negative thoughts about oneself, others, or the world, and memory issues.

Feeling on edge from the stressors caused by the traumatic event can negatively impact someone's mood and functioning.

Disclaimer: This is not a comprehensive list of symptoms. For a more complete list of symptoms, click here.

Takeaways

PTSD is a complex disorder that has a lasting effect on those diagnosed.

In fact, I am one of the many people that is diagnosed with PTSD who have never seen military combat in my life. Instead, I've never experienced traumatizing circumstances in my time.

In conclusion, PTSD is a debilitating disorder that affects various aspects of everyday life. All have a lasting impact, from feeling on alert to any possible threat to reliving the traumatic event.

Spreading awareness of the reality of PTSD is one of my goals, as well as the goals of That Psych Nerd.

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