The symptoms of PTSD may initially seem to be part of a normal response to an overwhelming experience. If those symptoms persist beyond three months, they become part of a disorder. Sometimes the disorder surfaces months or even years later. Psychiatrists categorize PTSD's symptoms in three categories: intrusive symptoms, avoidant symptoms, and symptoms of hyper arousal.
Intrusive Symptoms
People suffering from PTSD have an episode where the traumatic event "intrudes" into their current life. This can happen in sudden, vivid memories that are accompanied by painful emotions. Sometimes the trauma is "re-experienced". This is called a flashback -- a recollection that is so strong that the individual thinks he or she is actually experiencing the trauma again or seeing it unfold before their eyes.
At times, the re-experiencing occurs in nightmares.
At times, the re-experience comes as a sudden, painful onslaught of emotions that seem to have no cause. These emotions are often of grief that brings tears, fear or anger. Individuals say these emotional experiences occur repeatedly, much like memories or dreams about the traumatic event.
Symptoms of Avoidance
Another set of symptoms involves what is called avoidance phenomena. This affects the person's relationships with others, because he or she often avoids close emotional ties with family, colleagues and friends. The person feels numb, has diminished emotions and can complete only routine, mechanical activities. When the symptoms of "re-experiencing" occur, people seem to spend their energies on suppressing the flood of emotions. Often, they are incapable of mustering the necessary energy to respond appropriately to their environment: people who suffer PTSD frequently say they can't feel emotions, especially toward those to whom they are closest. As the avoidance continues, the person seems to be bored, cold or preoccupied. Family members often feel the person lacks affection and acts mechanically.
The person with PTSD also avoids situations that are reminders of the traumatic event because the symptoms may worsen when a situation or activity occurs that reminds them of the original trauma. For example, a person who survived a prisoner-of-war camp might overreact to seeing people wearing uniforms. Over time, people can become so fearful of particular situations that their daily lives are ruled by their attempts to avoid them.
Many war veterans avoid accepting responsibility for others because they think they failed in ensuring the safety of people who did not survive the trauma. Some people also feel guilty because they survived while others did not. In combat veterans, this guilt may be worse if they witnessed or participated in behavior that was necessary to survival but unacceptable to society. Such guilt can deepen depression as the person begins to look on him or herself as unworthy, a failure, a person who violated his or her pre-war values.
PTSD sufferers' inability to work out grief and anger over injury or loss during the traumatic event mean the trauma will continue to control their behavior without their being aware of it. Depression is a common product of this inability to resolve painful feelings.
Symptoms of Hyperarousal
PTSD can cause those who suffer with it to act as if they are threatened by the trauma that caused their syndrome. People with PTSD may become irritable. They may have trouble concentrating or remembering current information, and may develop insomnia. Because of their chronic hyperarousal, many people with PTSD have poor work records, trouble with their bosses and poor relationships with their family and friends.
The persistence of a biological alarm reaction is expressed in exaggerated startle reactions. War veterans may revert to their war behavior, diving for cover when they hear a car backfire or a string of firecrackers exploding. At times, those with PTSD suffer panic attacks, whose symptoms include extreme fear resembling that which they felt during the trauma. They may feel sweaty, have trouble breathing and may notice their heart rate increasing. They may feel dizzy or nauseated.
Other Associated Features
Many people with PTSD also develop depression and may at times abuse alcohol or other drugs as a "self-medication" to blunt their emotions and forget the trauma. A person with PTSD may also show poor control over his or her impulses, and may be at risk for suicide.
Source: Healthyplace.com
Recognizing symptoms is the first step toward recovery and finding treatment. Symptoms can include
Re-experiencing the event through vivid memories or flashbacks.
Feeling "emotionally numb".
Feeling overwhelmed by what would normally be considered everyday situations, and diminished interest in performing normal tasks or persuing usual interests.
Crying uncontrollably.
Isolating oneself from family and friends, and avoiding social situations.
Relying increasingly on alcohol or drugs to get through the day.
Feeling extremely moody, irratable, angry, suspicious or frightened.
Having difficulty falling or staying asleep, sleeping too much or experiencing nightmares.
Feeling guilty about surviving.
Feeling fears and a sense of doom about the future.
Physical Signs can include fatigue, muscle tremors, chest Pain, difficulty breathing, elevated blood pressue, rapid heart rate, thirst, visual difficulties, weakness, dizziness, profuse sweating, chills, shock symptoms, fainting, trouble sleeping.
Cognitive Signs can include blaming someone, confusion, disorientation, poor attention, poor decisions, heightened or lowered alertness, hyper-vigilance, poor concentration, memory problems, poor problem solving, difficulty identifying familiar objects or people, loss of time, place or person orientation, disturbed thinking, nightmares or unwanted thoughts, intrusive images.
Emotional Signs can include anxiety, insecurity, guilt, grief, denial, uncertainty, severe panic, numbed emotions, crying, inflexibility, fear, agitation, depression, disassociation, feelings of unreality, apprehension, irritability, inappropriate emotional response, intense anger, feeling overwhelmed, loss of emotional control.
Behavioral Signs can include change in activities, change in speech patterns, emotional outbursts, suspiciousness, withdrawal, inablity to rest, erratic movements, change in sexual functioning, change in usual communications, hyper-alert to environment, loss or increase in appetite, alcohol Consumption, antisocial acts, non-specific bodily complaints, startle reflex intensified, pacing
Source: Company G
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