A horrific event can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health disease that can be brought on by experiencing it or seeing it. Flashbacks, nightmares, excruciating anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the incident are just a few possible symptoms.
Your day-to-day functioning may be affected by symptoms that continue for months or even years.
However, in a small percentage of cases, there may be a delay of many months or even years before symptoms begin to manifest.
Some people with PTSD experience long periods where their symptoms are less obvious, followed by moments when they deteriorate. Others suffer from severe symptoms all the time.
It is also important to note that anyone can develop PTSD after experiencing, witnessing or hearing about an event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation.
Although the specific PTSD symptoms might vary greatly from person to person, they typically fall into the categories listed below according to the NHS website:
Re-experiencing
The most prevalent symptom of PTSD is re-experiencing.
This occurs when a person uncontrollably and vividly recalls the terrible incident as:
flashbacks nightmares.
Physical feelings including discomfort, sweating, feeling nauseous, or shaking that are repeated and upsetting.
Some people struggle to come to terms with their experience because they are always thinking negatively about it and posing themselves difficult questions. For instance, individuals can ponder why the incident occurred to them and whether there was anything they could have done to prevent it, which might result in feelings of guilt or shame.
Avoiding emotions
Another significant symptom of PTSD is attempting to forget the unpleasant incident.
This typically entails refraining from visiting or talking to anyone about the traumatic event-reminding places or individuals.
People with PTSD make an effort to block off thoughts of the incident by occupying themselves with work or hobbies.
Some people try to avoid feeling anything at all in an effort to cope with their emotions. This may cause the person to retreat and become alone; they might also stop engaging in activities they once found enjoyable.
Other symptoms to look out for
Many individuals with PTSD also struggle with a number of other issues, such as:
Self-harming or damaging behavior, such as drug or alcohol abuse, or other mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or phobias.
Additional physical signs and symptoms, such as headaches, lightheadedness, heartburn, and stomachaches.
PTSD can occasionally cause issues at work as well as marital troubles.
Therefore, it is important to get therapy as soon as possible to reduce symptoms and improve function. If you have disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a month, if they’re severe, or if you feel like you’re having trouble getting your life back under control, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
Also see: Ways to deal with mental health issues before it becomes a mental disorder
