PTSD Symptoms

Post-traumatic stress syndrome is an anxiety disorder that can develop after a person experiences a horrific ordeal. Also known as post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, post-traumatic stress syndrome can become so severe that it interferes with a person’s ability to go about daily life.

The events that trigger PTSD are extremely traumatic and usually involve actual or threatened physical harm. Common events that lead to PTSD include:

  • Car accidents
  • Kidnapping
  • Medical procedures
  • Natural disasters, such as an earthquake or fire
  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • Rape
  • Violent assault
  • War and combat experience.

People respond to trauma and stress in different ways, so an event that might trigger PTSD in one person may not lead to the disorder in another individual. Whatever the cause, a diagnosis of PTSD depends on certain symptoms. A typical PTSD symptoms checklist comprises three main categories:

  • Intrusive memories
  • Avoidance
  • Anxiety.

Intrusive Memory Symptoms of PTSD

The most well-known symptoms of PTSD are flashbacks, when the person feels like they’re living through the ordeal again. Flashbacks fall under the umbrella of intrusive-memory PTSD symptoms, which are marked by invasive and upsetting memories of the trauma.

Intrusive-memory symptoms include:

  • Flashbacks
  • Intense distress when reminded of the event (someone with PTSD related to a car accident may become distressed when watching a car chase on TV)
  • Nightmares
  • Physical reactions to reminders of the event, such as sweating, pounding heart and nausea.

Avoidance PTSD Symptoms

Most people with post-traumatic stress syndrome go out of their way to avoid any reminders of the traumatic event because those reminders will trigger an upsetting response. This avoidant behavior is a second sign of PTSD.

Avoidance symptoms of PTSD include:

  • Avoiding any reminders of the trauma
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling emotionally detached from others or emotionally numb
  • Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
  • Memory loss surrounding the trauma
  • Refusal to talk about or think about the ordeal
  • Sense of a limited future.

Anxiety-Related Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome

PTSD is an anxiety disorder, so it’s not surprising that many PTSD symptoms involve a high level of anxiety. People with PTSD often are hyper-vigilant, constantly on alert and expecting danger, even in seemingly safe situations.

In addition to hyper-vigilance, anxiety symptoms of PTSD include:

  • Feeling jumpy and startling easily
  • Feelings of guilt or shame
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Self-destructive behavior (such as drinking too much).

In addition, many people with post-traumatic stress syndrome experience physical symptoms such as:

  • Chest pain
  • Headaches
  • Nausea.

PTSD sufferers often feel alone and are distrustful of others. Feelings of anger, guilt, shame and betrayal are common among people with PTSD. If left untreated, PTSD can lead to more serious problems, including depression, other anxiety disorders, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts.

Resources
Dryden-Edwards, R. (2009). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Retrieved May 13, 2010, from www.medicinenet.com/posttraumatic_stress_disorder/article.htm.

Mayo Clinic. (2009). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Symptoms. Retrieved May 13, 2010, from www.mayoclinic.com/health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/ds00246/dsection=symptoms.

Smith, M., Segal, R., Segal, J. (2008). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Retrieved May 13, 2010, from the Help Guide website: helpguide.org/mental/post_traumatic_stress_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm.