Post-traumatic stress disorder can occur after a person experiences a traumatic event such as being robbed at gunpoint or getting into a near-fatal accident. The event must include physical harm or a threat of physical harm. With PTSD, you either experience the evented or witnessed the event. Also, during the event the person felt fear or horror and helplessness. Treatment for PTSD includes therapy and medication.
Re-experiencing the Event
Someone who has PTSD might have continuing, intrusive thoughts about the event that upset him. A person with this disorder might experience these thoughts at random times, such as when having lunch with a friend, while reading a book or while driving down the road. Children often play out the event through play with dolls, coloring or storytelling. Another symptom that falls under this category is having dreams about the event.
Some people with PTSD experience flashbacks that make them feel as though they are experiencing the event again. For instance, a woman who has PTSD because of a plane crash in which she survived might have a flashback in which she hears the screams of other passengers, feels the falling sensation and smells the passenger's cologne who was sitting beside her during the crash. She feels as though she's in the plane and it's crashing all over again.
Avoidance and Emotional Numbing
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that someone with PTSD might avoid events, places or things that remind the person about the traumatizing event. For example, someone who got into a life-threatening car accident might avoid driving near the place that the accident occurred. A person who's experiencing PTSD might also forget significant parts of the traumatic event and refuse to talk about it.
According to the Mayo Clinic, someone suffering from PTSD might feel emotionally numb or empty inside, feel hopeless, have trouble concentrating and have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships. Some people with PTSD think they will have a shorter lifespan than normal.
Arousal
A person who's suffering from PTSD might have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. He might feel irritable on a regular basis and become startled easily. For instance, he might become jumpy if the doorbell rings, a dog barks or someone pulls into the driveway. People with this disorder are constantly on alert and don't feel safe.
Other Symptoms
People who suffer from PTSD might have suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide. They might feel alone, guilty and ashamed. They might have a hard time trusting people and entering new relationships. Some people with this disorder turn to drugs and alcohol to ease their symptoms.
