Finding Help for PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a traumatic or life-threatening event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day functioning, you may have PTSD.

It’s important to note that the symptoms of PTSD are not simply a normal response to a traumatic event and can be severe and persistent enough to significantly affect daily functioning. Some common symptoms of PTSD include:

• Intrusive memories: This may involve unwanted and distressing memories of the traumatic event, which can come in the form of flashbacks or nightmares.
• Avoidance: People with PTSD may avoid people, places, or activities that trigger memories of the traumatic event. They may also try to avoid thinking or talking about the event.
• Negative changes in thinking and mood: This can involve feelings of guilt, shame, or fear, as well as negative beliefs about oneself or the world, such as “I’m a bad person” or “the world is a dangerous place.”
• Changes in physical and emotional reactions: People with PTSD may have trouble sleeping, feel irritable or angry, and become easily startled or frightened. They may also feel detached or numb, and have a decreased interest in activities they used to enjoy.