Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often presented as something that only happens to a handful of people. In pop culture, the most common portrayal of PTSD involves soldiers. In reality, roughly seven out of 10 Americans will endure at least one traumatic event.

By “endure,” we mean direct experience or witnessing an event. In addition, PTSD can occur after simply learning about a loved one experiencing a traumatic event. Moreover, there are those who undergo repeated trauma, e.g. slavery, trafficking, kidnapping, and prostitution. PTSD is a serious and all-too-common problem. It helps to know more about it.

Stress Disorders

After going through a terrible event, it is not unusual to struggle with something called Acute Stress Disorder (ASD). This is not to be taken lightly. You should consider talking with a mental health professional. However, ASD is defined as a post-trauma outcome that lasts less than a month. Symptoms like those discussed below can linger much longer than that. If that’s the case, the diagnosis would typically be Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Obviously, PTSD requires even more urgent intervention.

4 Common PTSD Symptoms

1. Re-Experiencing

Memories of a traumatic event can feel as intense as the original experience. The first group of common symptoms relates to this distressful re-living of an ugly ordeal. They include nightmares and flashbacks — and the triggers that provoke them. During a flashback or nightmare, your mind and body cannot tell if it’s real or a memory. As a result, you can exacerbate the trauma. As for triggers, these may include:

Individual people
Sights, scents, and sounds
Particular locations
Anniversaries
Songs, movies, TV shows, etc.
Certain words
Your own thoughts and feelings

2. Avoidance

After reading #1 above, it should come as no surprise that trauma survivors often seek to avoid reminders of any kind. However, this common-sense reaction can become pathological. PTSD may cause you to take avoidance to the extreme. The mere thought of even talking about the trauma is enough to trigger a panic attack or flashback. Some other examples of elements you may avoid:

Large crowds because they feel dangerous
Pop culture depictions of a natural disaster if you suffered such an event
Driving can remind you of something like a deadly crash

3. Negative Mindset

Trauma can cause you to stop trusting others. It can feel impossible to get optimistic about the future. To you, the world is fraught with dangers and risks. This can reinforce the tendency to self-isolate

4. Hyperarousal

People with PTSD seem to be on a 24/7 high alert. They’re ever-vigilant. This leads to edginess and irritability. Also:

You’re easily startled
Sleeping can be tricky since it makes you feel vulnerable
You easily lose focus because your thoughts are racing
In public settings, you prefer to sit where you can see who’s coming

How to Treat Common PTSD Symptoms

Again, PTSD requires treatment from a mental health professional. However, that does not mean you can’t take some powerful self-help steps, e.g.

Setting Boundaries: Let others know what’s going on. Tell them about your triggers. Set firm boundaries about what you can handle as you work toward recovery.
Daily Self-Care: Practice relaxation techniques. Make healthy eating choices. Get into regular sleep patterns. Engage in daily exercise and physical activity.
Be Creative: Find a creative hobby to help balance out the PTSD symptoms.
Create a Support System: Do not attempt to go it alone. Seek out support in person and/or online.

It’s Time to Ask For Help

The biggest first step you can take to address common PTSD symptoms is therapy. Let’s get that process and your recovery started. Reach out today to set up a free and confidential consultation.