Is It PTSD?
When you have PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), it’s hard to feel safe. The traumatic event – natural disaster, combat, robbery, sexual assault, accident - can take hold, and you find you can’t stop thinking about it. Maybe you have nightmares and trouble sleeping. Maybe you feel on edge and unsettled or don’t find pleasure in things you used to enjoy. Maybe you feel it’s just easier to be alone. Feelings like these are common after going through a traumatic event. For most people, feelings or symptoms pass in a few weeks or months, but for others they are long lasting. Without proper treatment, PTSD can lead to major life changes, abuse, suicide, and even homicide. PTSD can have a lasting effect of your mental health, your relationships, and your physical health.
PTSD symptoms fall into four categories: reliving or re-experiencing the event, avoidance symptoms, arousal and reactivity symptoms, and cognition and mood symptoms. For someone to be diagnosed with PTSD, they need to have symptoms in all four categories.
Reliving or e-experiencing the event symptoms include:
nightmares
flashbacks
frightening thoughts
Avoidance symptoms include:
avoiding places or things, events, or people that are related to the traumatic event
avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the traumatic event
Arousal or reactivity symptoms include:
having angry outbursts
feeling tense or “on-edge”
having sleep disturbances
being easily startled
Cognition or mood symptoms include:
having distorted feelings of guilt or blame
having negative feelings about oneself or the world
having trouble remembering key features about the traumatic event
having a loss of interest in enjoyable activities
Symptoms in children & teens:
Symptoms in children and teens, especially older children and teens, may present the same as adults. These may also include:
destructive, disrespectful, or disruptive behaviors
having feelings of guilt for not preventing injury or deaths
having feelings of revenge
But, young children, usually under the age of 6, may present more extreme symptoms. These may include:
being unusually clingy or attached to a parent or adult
bed-wetting
being unable to talk or forgetting how to do so
acting out the traumatic event during playtime
PTSD symptoms can happen at any age, and they come and go. Only a doctor or mental health care provider can diagnose PTSD. And, knowing if you have PTSD is the first step to getting effective treatment. So, it is important to talk with a doctor if you think you have symptoms. There are effective treatments and helpful therapies to promote healing even if you have been living with symptoms for years. At Harvest Counseling & Wellness, we specialize in trauma therapy. We use several techniques to help people of all ages that have experienced a wide array of traumatic events. Our techniques include EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) Trauma Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, and Art Therapy. Here are some additional tips to help further the healing process:
find a support group
confide in supportive family or friends
learn positive coping skills
avoid destructive behaviors or habits that only provide temporary relief
make a short list of affirmations to memorize and repeat to yourself when anxiety strikes
It’s important to keep in mind that you’re not alone. And, there are treatments that will help you feel better and take back control of your life. Be the advocate – take that first step for yourself.
June is PTSD Awareness month. Learn more about PTSD symptoms at the National Center for PTSD. The PTSD Coach app and PTSD Coach Online can also help you learn about PTSD symptoms and practice skills to manage those symptoms. You can even track your PTSD symptoms in the app.
ARE YOU SEEKING HELP WITH PTSD OR TRAUMA OR NEED MORE INFORMATION?
Harvest Counseling & Wellness is a Mental Health Counseling Practice in Argyle, Texas. We provide therapy for those struggling with issues related to PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationships, abuse, phobias, chronic illness, and grief. Our office is located near Denton, Highland Village, Flower Mound, Lantana, Roanoke, and Justin. If you are looking for a therapist in the Denton area, contact us today for a complimentary phone consultation, 940-294-7061.
