Some of the symptoms and signs of this disorder are:
- People with PTSD tend to become emotionally numb, especially in relation to family and friends they were formerly close too.
- They may lose interest in things they used to enjoy. A secondary manifestation of this disorder is deep depression.
- They may startle easily and can tend to be irritable; some lend themselves to aggressive behaviors and have sleep troubles.
- They avoid situations that remind them of the original incident or situations with persons who revisit the original trauma (if the person is a childhood survivor of parental abuse, being around a parent at family gatherings can trigger nightmares or other repressed emotions).
Treatment and Understanding:
As with any disorder, the condition varies in severity from one person to the next. Some persons recover in a matter of months without significant outside assistance. Still others may require a strong support group for life. In any case, these individuals are to be assisted to proper care and treatment. There are many local and national organizations that can assist you below are links to just a few:
WIIT – This organization is specific to women who have survived childhood and/or other abuses and would like assistance with PTSD symptoms.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – If you are active military or retired and have been diagnosed or think you or a loved one may need evaluation please use this link to take that first step toward help and understanding.
Columbus Trauma and PTSD Therapists – If you have suffered from any level of post-traumatic stress and need a caring professional to guide you, please use this link to provide greater assistance.
Trauma and PTSD Group Meetings – If you feel you need a group support environment to champion you on to greater mental health and wellness, use this link to make a connection.
If we are to live as persons of strength and endurance then we have to learn to break free of barriers that may hold us back from blossoming into the beautiful people we are supposed to be. Mental illness on any level creates a cage and holds us back from fully living and enjoying our lives. Next, we will peer into the window of Bipolar Disorder. Until next time – good physical and mental health to you!
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