Symptoms:
Intrusive memories:
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Recurring, unwanted memories of the event
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Flashbacks and nightmares
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Emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds the individual of the events.
PTSD symptoms may occur as quickly as one moth following the traumatic event. For some individuals, symptoms are not discovered until several years later. (Mayo-Clinic, 2017).
PTSD symptoms are usually grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.
Avoidance:
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Avoiding, people, places or activities that remind the individual of the event.
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Avoid discussion about trauma.
Negative changes in thinking and mood:
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Hopelessness
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Lack of interest
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Feeling numb
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Difficulty maintaining relationships.
Changes in physical and emotional reactions:
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Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior
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Being easily startled or frightened
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Always being on guard for danger
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Trouble sleeping
CAUSES:
According to NHS Choices (2017), PTSD can develop when you go through, see and/or learn about an event involving the threat of death, death itself, serious injury, or a sexual violation.
Potential Causes:
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Serious Road accidents
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Violent personal assaults (sexual assaults, robbery
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Prolonged sexual abuse or neglect
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Military combat
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Natural Disasters
TREATMENT:
Traumatic events are difficult, and take a toll on everyone's life. But, there are ways to treat your PTSD can improve the symptoms that you may be experiencing. Seeking professional help is often the only way to effectively treat PTSD.
There are several ways that professionals may see fit as your form of treatment. Some of the PTSD treatment methods include:
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Pscyhotherapy
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (SBT)
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Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
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Group Therapy
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Medication (in addition to other treatment)
Many treatments take several months of trial and error and can cause additional unwanted side-effects.