PTSD Symptoms

There are four types of PTSD symptoms:

#1 – Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms):

Some times without warning a memory of a traumatic event show’s up in your life. While experiencing the memory you may feel the same fears and terror you did when the event first took place. You may jump out of bed in a cold sweat experiencing a nightmare that completely envelops your life.

You could even swear that you’re going through the event once again, better known as a flashback. Everyday experiences could trigger the memories. Things like a sound or sight that brings back the memories re-recreating the event. Triggers might include:

A car backfire, which can bring back memories of gunfire and war for a combat Veteran.
Seeing a car accident, which can remind a crash survivor of his or her own accident.
Seeing a news report of a sexual assault, which may bring back memories of assault for a woman who was raped.

#2 – Avoidance – Staying away from situations that remind you of the event:

For men I call this going into your cave. Many times a person hides, or runs from situations or people who trigger memories of the traumatic event. You may even avoid talking or thinking about the event. For example:

A person who was drowning while in the bath tube, may avoid going to the beach.
A person who was robbed at gunpoint while walking out of the bank may avoid banks.
Some people may keep themselves extremely busy or avoid anyone that appears to want to help them. This keeps them from having to think or talk about the event.

#3 – Feeling numb:

A person that experiences numbness, may appear to be heartless. Keeping all their emotions bottled up within so they do not have to feel any of the pain of the trauma. You may find it hard to express your feelings. This is another way to avoid memories.

You may find everything wrong with others only seeing the negative side of others.
Staying away from any kind of relationships keeping to yourself.
The things you use to be interested in no longer excite you or give you pleasure of any kind.
You may not be able to remember any or all of the traumatic event or you may even believe that it happened to someone else instead of yourself.

#4 – Feeling keyed up (Hyper-vigilance):

You may be jittery, always moving and noticing everything around you. Always alert and on the lookout for danger. When you are going into a room you may notice the exits, windows, and keep your self facing the doors. This is known as hyper-vigilance. It can cause you to:

To become angry or irritable for no particular reason.
Staying away all night with little or no sleep.
Your mind is always working giving you trouble trying to concentrate.
Fear for your safety and always feel on guard.
Be very startled when something surprises you.

What are other common symptoms?

There are so many different symptoms that could be caused due to PTSD So we will include only a few of them, knowing that if you find yourself with a symptom that started after a traumatic experience it could create problems, some of them include:

Drinking or drug problems.
Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair.
Employment problems.
Relationships problems including divorce and violence.
Physical symptoms.
Thoughts of suicide

Then exciting thought about seeing any of these symptoms in yourself is that you are open and ready to rid yourself of them. Awakening to the problem is always the first step in taking over your life again.