Healing from a traumatic event in your life is not always an easy thing to do. While some people may experience stress symptoms that don’t take a long time to recover from, others may take months, even years, to recover from traumatic events. So, if you have experienced a traumatic event in your life that you still can’t get over, there is a chance you might be suffering from PTSD
First things first, what is PTSD?
Also known in the past as “shell shock” during World War 1, describing the trauma that many soldiers faced at that time, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that develops when a human being experiences a traumatic event, whether it was seen or heard, and its signs usually appear within 3 months after the event making it difficult to carry out normal life activities. Severe PTSD symptoms may vary from months to years later.
PTSD does not have an age limit, anyone can suffer from it. According to the National Centre for PTSD, women are most likely to experience PTSD at a rate that is two to three times that of males.
And now we will dive deep into the signs of PTSD:
1. Re-experiencing the tragic event
One of the most common signs is re-experiencing memories of the event that led to the trauma and it can take multiple shapes and forms, whether having dreams of the event, or vivid flashbacks at any time of the day, making you experience the event as if it is your first time.
2. Always feeling on edge
Doctors define it as hyperarousal. Anyone with PTSD may suffer severe anxiety, always in distress and worrying even about the smallest things. Individuals may be sleep deprived, living in constant fear, experiencing panic attacks, and may have angry outbursts.
3. Continuous Avoidance
People who have PTSD are traumatized by the incident that happened to them so avoiding anything related to that is a normal reaction, avoiding specific places, people, clothes, and even scents that remind them of the incident. This type of avoidance if increased may lead to complete isolation, resulting in loneliness and depression.
4. Aggressive mood swings
This sign is overlooked sometimes, because some may think that mood swings are unrelated to PTSD, but it is a major sign of unresolved trauma. From feeling the happiest at one moment to thoughts of suicide starting to creep in the next, detaching yourself from reality to avoid feeling any type of emotion will result in many mental issues.
If you or someone you know is experiencing one or more of those signs, seeking professional help is advisable and it is never too late to start therapy. Therapy is for all, no matter how old or young you are.
The Ministry of Health has dedicated special hotlines to provide support for anyone in need (08008880700 - 0220816831 – 163280)
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