1. Watch for Uncontrollable Nightmares or Flashbacks
Many times, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) manifests itself as a recurring nightmare or flashback. These flashbacks may occur at any time, and the nightmares may occur after a stressful day. If you're experiencing flashbacks relating to traumatic scenario, post-traumatic stress disorder may be indicated.
2. Look for Avoidance of the Trauma
People suffering from PTSD often avoid bringing up the trauma that triggered the condition. This may include avoiding any people, places or objects that recall memories of the incident or are otherwise associated with it. A general sense of numbness may also be present. If you suspect that you may have post-traumatic stress disorder, take note of the lengths to which you will go in order to avoid revisiting the situation.
3. Look for Edgy Behavior
Nervousness and hyper-alertness are other indicators of post-traumatic stress disorder, as are panic attacks. The constant stress of being on-edge and ready to react to the trauma again may also lead people with post-traumatic stress disorder to engage in self-destructive behavior such as drinking and drugs. The presence of this behavior can serve as another test for PTSD.
4. Check the Duration of Symptoms
One of the criteria for diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder is the length of time the symptoms last. In order for the condition to qualify as post-traumatic stress disorder, symptoms must be present for at least a month. People with symptoms that last less than a month may benefit from therapy, although they are not suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
5. Find Professional Guidance
The "Fourth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," also known as the "DSM IV," provides a comprehensive list of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. This list serves as a test for psychologists to use when determining whether a patient suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Nightmares, avoidance, edgy behavior and symptom duration are all among the main indicating factors, but a true diagnosis for PTSD evaluates a number of related factors as well. A professional psychologist will be able to weigh all of them in the course of an in-depth interview.
