5 Ways to Recognize Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

1. Note the Psychological Disturbances

If you suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, you'll present psychological symptoms, including flashbacks of the traumatic event. These flashbacks can be so vivid and detailed, you'll relive the trauma and react as though it were really happening again.

Some patients experience psychogenic amnesia and cannot consciously remember what happened. This occurs when the traumatic event is so horrifying that you effectively block out the memory to avoid processing it. If you've survived a violent event or sexual assault, you may develop an exaggerated startle response, which will have your easily frightened and constantly on edge. Hypervigilance typically accompanies the exaggerated startle response, and you'll experience constantly fear that the traumatic event will reoccur. You'll probably take unnecessary steps to prevent it.

Post-traumatic stress disorder patients also have a higher risk of developing separate psychological conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. This may require additional treatments once they are recognized by a psychologist.

2. Learn the Emotional Effects of Post-Traumatic Stress

Extreme stress typically can elicit numerous emotional responses, which include shame, guilt, numbness and lethargy. Individuals often blame themselves for the trauma or become obsessed with the idea that they could have prevented the event "if only" they had acted differently. Trauma also tends to drain survivors of their normal emotional changes and sensitivities, and their emotional lives are often replaced by ongoing emptiness and a sense of detachment from themselves and others.

3. Sleep Difficulties Are Common

If you're a victim of trauma, especially trauma that occurred at night, you may suffer from sleep disorders. You may have intrusive and vivid nightmares, which replay traumatic events as they occurred or with disturbing variations. Insomnia is also common in PTSD patients who display hypervigilance symptoms and experience nightmares. Sleep may become a battleground between you and your traumatic memories, and medication may be required to correct the situation.

4. Substance Abuse Occurs in a Significant Percentage of Cases

The effects of post-traumatic stress disorder occur because the human brain has difficulty integrating the traumatic memories in a healthy, positive way. Faced with an inability to cope with these difficult memories, you may abuse substances as a means of escape. If you notice a sharp increase in your alcohol or drug use, it may be related to PTSD.

5. Interpersonal Breakdowns Can Signal Trouble

Psychologists recognize behavioral symptoms of PTSD that affect the patient's interpersonal relationships. Because of the guilt and shame associated with the condition, you may push people away as a means of preempting rejection. This can take many forms, from social isolation to lashing out at loved ones for seemingly little, if any, reason. Post-traumatic stress isolates you, making you feel misunderstood, alone and psychologically damaged. It is vital for these feelings to be addressed through group therapy under the guidance of an experienced counselor.