Table of Contents
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a diagnosis given to millions of Americans and affects a relatively large portion of the population. According to the National Center for PTSD, about 7 or 8 out of every 100 people will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, with women holding a greater risk of experiencing the disorder than men.
While some people may feel embarrassed or even angry when diagnosed with PTSD and try to hide it, it’s not something that weakens the individual. Understanding how it can develop is crucial in coming to terms with a diagnosis and can help the individual begin healing. We’ll take a deeper look at just what PTSD is, its causes and symptoms, and how you can get treatment to help minimize its effect on your life.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can develop in people who have undergone stressful or traumatic events or witnessed them in some cases. It can develop after exposure to various potentially traumatic events, from natural disasters to severe auto accidents, war, sexual assault, terrorist attacks, or mass shootings. Because PTSD is so common in those returning from war, it has been known as combat fatigue and shell shock.
In general, those living with PTSD will have intensely disturbing feelings and thoughts about their trauma for a long time after it ends, sometimes continuing for many years. Individuals with PTSD may experience other mental health challenges following the traumatic event, such as emotional instability, estrangement, or detachment from others.
What are the causes of PTSD?
One of the most significant causes leading to the development of PTSD is war. According to the National Center for PTSD, it’s estimated that about 15 percent of Vietnam War veterans and 12 percent of Gulf War veterans have PTSD. Other common causes of PTSD include:
- The sudden or violent death of a loved one
- Sexual assault, abuse, or rape
- Chronic harassment
- Serious car crashes, air travel accidents, or similar events
- Physical assault
- Emotional or verbal abuse
- Neglect
- Childhood abuse or similar trauma
- Natural disasters
- Terrorist attacks
- Mass shootings
- Kidnappings
- War
It’s thought that PTSD may be a survival or coping mechanism created by the brain, and it’s thought that the flashbacks, apprehension, or anxiety felt by those with PTSD is the brain’s way of keeping them mindful of potential future danger. When the brain does this, it may not be conscious that the flashbacks and emotional issues are doing more harm than good.
It may also be related to an overactive fight-or-flight response. This state of hyperarousal often happens in response to acute stress or danger and results in a large amount of adrenaline being released into the system and other stress hormones. In those with PTSD, the number of stress hormones like adrenaline is often measured and found to be at abnormally high levels.
Who is at risk?
Those at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder are anyone who has previously endured or witnessed traumatic events. While men and women can develop PTSD, women are more than twice as likely to develop PTSD than men (10% for women and 4% for men).
Another risk factor is a limited or non-existent support network at home following the event. This is one of the more common features of those who develop post-traumatic stress disorder, and this lack of support can lead to increased estrangement.
Those with a history of mental illness or mental health issues may also have an increased likelihood of developing PTSD. This can include anxiety or panic disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, or compulsion disorders. Additional unrelated stress or trauma adjacent to the primary trauma event can also contribute to higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Signs and symptoms of PTSD
For those that develop undiagnosed PTSD, many signs can help determine if it’s time to seek help. Whether diagnosed or not, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms can occur and lead to additional complications in the individual’s life.
Avoidance of the issue is common. Those with post-traumatic stress disorder often do not want to talk about it or even think about it. They tend to avoid anything that may remind them of the trauma, from places to people, even songs or smells that bring back memories.
Arousal symptoms or significant behavior changes can also cause very intense emotions to develop, leading to additional emotional challenges, such as outbursts of anger or even violence. Even if the individual doesn’t experience outbursts, they may still have significant mood swings.
Other common symptoms include:
- Being startled easily
- Intrusive thoughts
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Loss of interest in personal relationships
- Loss of interest in career or hobbies
- Sudden distress when thinking about the trauma
- Substance use
- Panic or anxiety
Complications of PTSD
Without appropriate PTSD treatment, the individual may also experience direct complications of post-traumatic stress disorder. This can lead to social, mental, financial, and even physical side effects.
With the emotional challenges of PTSD, distancing oneself from others is common, but it can also lead to significant social isolation. This isolation and the stress of the PTSD symptoms can create an environment conducive to mental health challenges. Without proper treatment, these challenges can turn into illnesses.
Other common complications of post-traumatic stress disorder include financial neglect, often causing the individual to slip into debt. Emotional instability can also lead to poor self-care, dramatically affecting the individual’s physical health.
Getting help for PTSD
If you’ve experienced or witnessed traumatic events, you may have developed PTSD. If you find yourself or someone close to you experiencing the symptoms and signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, the first step is to speak to someone about it. Contact local experts today and discuss your concerns in a comfortable, confidential environment. If you’re diagnosed with PTSD, you can begin building a treatment plan tailored to your needs to work through your trauma and live a less stressful life.
References
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Accessed January 4, 2023. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
- PTSD Causes: The Science of Trauma and How to Treat It. Healthline. Published February 20, 2019. Accessed January 4, 2023. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/ptsd-causes
- VA.gov | Veterans Affairs. Accessed January 4, 2023. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_women.asp
Absolute Awakenings Treatment Center Editoral Guideline
At Absolute Awakenings, we take information integrity seriously. We have dedicated our resources to ensure that all content published to our blog is medically sound. As such, all content on our blog has been thoroughly reviewed by a doctorate level clinician such as a Medical Doctor, or Psy.D, so that you can trust all of the data we publish.
