PTSD Symptoms – Rewire Your Brain to Fight PTSD Symptoms and Trauma
PTSD symptoms and trauma according to the VA Web site is a mental health problem that can occur after someone goes through a traumatic event like war, assault, an accident or disaster. After a trauma or life-threatening event, it is common to have reactions such as upsetting memories of the event, increased jumpiness, or trouble sleeping. Note that you don’t have to go to war before you can experience such reactions. People with bad bosses at work or kids that are being picked upon by bullies tend to have these symptoms. If these reactions do not go away or if they get worse, you may have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as (PTSD). I enjoy writing and sharing all these information to the public because of my own experience with PTSD symptoms. I understand what these men and women who have served are going through because I am a wounded warrior. Please share as you read, and watch these videos. The information could be of help top someone you know. I found this video on National Geographic Television.
Video credit – Credit to National Geographic Television. More information on this new technique can be found at Http://Channel.NationalGeographic.Com/channel/brain-games/videos/defusing-ptsd/
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD Symptoms and Side effects of PTSD might disturb your life and make it difficult to proceed with your everyday exercises. You might think that it’s hard just to traverse the day.
There are four sorts of PTSD symptoms and side effects:
- Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms)
Memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time. You may feel the same fear and horror you did when the event took place. For example:
- You may have nightmares.
- You may feel like you are going through the event again. This is called a flashback.
- You may see, hear, or smell something that causes you to relive the event. This is called a trigger. News reports, seeing an accident, or hearing a car backfire are examples of triggers.
- Avoiding situations that remind you of the event
You may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event. You may even avoid talking or thinking about the event. For example:
- You may avoid crowds because they feel dangerous.
- You may avoid driving if you were in a car accident or if your military convoy was bombed.
- If you were in an earthquake, you may avoid watching movies about earthquakes.
- You may keep very busy or avoid seeking help because it keeps you from having to think or talk about the event.
- Negative changes in beliefs and feelings
The way you think about yourself and others changes because of the trauma. This symptom has many aspects, including the following:
- You may not have positive or loving feelings toward other people and may stay away from relationships.
- You may forget about parts of the traumatic event or not be able to talk about them.
- You may think the world is completely dangerous, and no one can be trusted.
- Feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousal)
You may be jittery or always alert and on the lookout for danger. You might suddenly become angry or irritable. This is known as hyperarousal. For example:
- You may have a hard time sleeping.
- You may have trouble concentrating.
- You may be startled by a loud noise or surprise.
- You might want to have your back to a wall in a restaurant or waiting room.