PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety-related psychological disorder that can appear after one has been exposed or one has experienced a lucidly identifiable traumatic incident or event that threatens one's self, others, resources or an event that poses danger to a person's sense of control, wholeness and hope. In short, an event or an experience that overwhelms the person, to the point where in normal psychological coping mechanisms are not able to keep up. Some examples of common events or experiences that act as triggers to the development of PTSD are hostage taking crisis, war, any form of violence whether to one's self or to others, terrorist attacks, disasters and calamities like floods and earthquakes, and so much more.

This is a crippling and disturbing disorder that may affect one's quality of living profoundly. It takes a lot of support from one's family, community, and healthcare providers to be able to correct and surpass such an ordeal. PTSD does not manifest itself immediately and blatantly than ASD (Acute Stress Disorder), another form of an anxiety-related disorder. Symptoms of PTSD usually appear and are usually seen much later (usually a month or two moths) after the traumatic incident has come to pass. And what are the symptoms of PTSD?

Dissociative Symptoms

Commonly seen among people who develop PTSD are their sudden detachment or estrangement from family members and friends. But dissociative symptoms can also take on serous forms like forgetting all of a sudden the traumatic event that has happened (amnesia), lack of exuding appropriate emotion or affectation in certain situations (blunt affect), like crying or sadness in the midst of a celebration or joyous moment.

Arousal Symptoms

People suffering from PTSD are abnormally aroused, restless, anxious, and irritable for no apparent reason. A sudden outburst of rage or anger is also a common arousal symptom from PTSD. There is also an inability to sleep or disturbance from sleep, and there are some people that experience impairment of memory and loss of concentration while doing tasks of daily living.

Intrusive Memory Symptoms

A common form of an intrusive memory symptom, and one you have probably seen in horror or suspense movies, is recurring upsetting dreams or nightmares related to the traumatic event. Distressing flashbacks are also common, especially when the person suffering from PTSD is exposed to a similar traumatic situation or is reminded of that specific event that brought about the disorder.

And those are the symptoms of PTSD. Visit your psychologist to know what management you can do to rid you or your love one of this perturbing condition.

Stress related diseases are on the rise. PTSD is a condition that occurs when one has under gone an experience that has had a traumatizing effect in ones life. PTSD is common with victims of brutal acts such as, rape, mutilation, and painful experiences. It can affect anyone at any given time after a traumatic event. Witnesses of painful events have also been known to suffer from the disorder. Other causes are results of war, natural calamities, attacks, assault, physical harassment and death of loved ones.

The symptoms are a bit similar with those of normal response to trauma; the difference is that normal reactions last a few days while PTSD can last for an exceedingly long time unless tended. The disorders symptoms can be categorized by the level and reactions that a person experiences when faced with a different situation. One a person goes through an event that happened before the person can get the symptoms. For this situation, symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, flashbacks and physical reactions such as, perspiration body tremors, rapid beating of the heart and tension in the muscles. Nausea can also be experienced.

Another main symptom is withdrawal. A person can start avoiding people, places or events. When a person shuts all emotional feelings memories or reminders the person might be experiencing the disorder. A person can lose a passion for activities and hobbies that the person used to love before. Suicidal thoughts and tendencies are also associated with symptoms of PTSD that if not detected early can end up causing harm to a patient.

Patients tend to be anxious and have sleeping difficulties. The concentration span is extremely low, and they at times, lapse into deep thoughts. Noises or small scares make people suffering from this disorder extremely jumpy and hyperventilate. Other patients end up lapsing into depression and abuse of drug and alcohol abuse. Emotional symptoms include guilt and esteem.

Children are usually afraid of unfamiliar people and territories. Children with PTSD are afraid of being separated from their parents or guardians. Sleeping difficulties can be experienced. When children who had been previously toilet trained, soil they should be taken seriously, as this is one of the symptoms. Lack of interest in playing or aggressive behavior, when playing with other children, is signs of a child suffering from PTSD. The disorder should not be taken lightly as it triggers other mental neurotic disorders. Once the symptoms of PTSD have been noticed counseling should be administered to help patients to learn to overcome the disorder.