Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.AbuseThe following page includes discussions of abuse, including verbal, physical, neglect, sexual (**SA also has its own warning**), etc. If you are uncomfortable or get triggered by this topic, it is recommended to not read this page.

**Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)** is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event, either experiencing it or witnessing it. Most individuals who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty 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 day-to-day function, it may be PTSD.

PTSD has been known by many names in the past, such as **Shell Shock** during the years of World War I and **Combat Fatigue** after World War II, but PTSD does not just affect combat veterans.

## Signs & Symptoms

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of the traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms cause significant problems in social and work situations and in relationships. They can also interfere with an individual's ability to go about their normal daily tasks.

PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Symptoms can vary over time or vary from individual to individual.

### Intrusive Memories

Symptoms of intrusive memories may include:

* Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event.
* Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again.
* Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event.
* Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds one of the traumatic event.

### Avoidance

Symptoms of avoidance may include:

* Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event.
* Avoiding places, activities, or individuals that remind one of the traumatic event.

### Negative Thinking and Mood

Symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:

* Negative thoughts about oneself, other individuals or the world.
* Hopelessness about the future.
* Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event.
* Difficulty maintaining close relationships.
* Feeling detached in activities once enjoyed.
* Difficulty experiencing positive emotions.
* Feeling emotionally numb.

### Physical and Emotional Reactions

Symptoms of changes in physical and emotional reactions, also called arousal symptoms, may include:

* Being easily startled or frightened.
* Always being on guard for danger.
* Self-destructive behavior.
* Trouble sleeping.
* Trouble concentrating.
* Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior.
* Overwhelming guilt or shame.

PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time. One may have more PTSD symptoms when stressed in general, or when one comes across reminders of what they went through.

## Causes

One can develop post-traumatic stress disorder when they go through, see or learn about an event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation.

Doctor's aren't sure why some individuals develop PTSD. As with most mental health problems, PTSD is probably caused by a complex mix of:

* Stressful experiences, including the amount of severity of the trauma.
* Inherited mental health risk, such as a family history of anxiety and depression.
* Inherited features of personality, often called temperament.
* The way the brain regulates the chemicals and hormones the body releases in response to stress.

Individuals of all ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. However, some factors may make someone more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event, such as:

* Experiencing intense or long-lasting trauma.
* Having experienced other trauma earlier in life.
* Having a job that increases the risk of being exposed to traumatic events.
* Having other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
* Having problems with substance misuse.
* Lack of a good support system of family and friends.
* Having blood relatives with mental health problems, including anxiety or depression.

The most common events leading to the development of PTSD include:

* Combat exposure.
* Childhood physical abuse.
* Sexual violance.
* Physical assault.
* Being threatened with a weapon.
* An accident.

Many other traumatic events can lead to PTSD, such as fire, natural disaster, mugging, robbery, plane crash, torture, kidnapping, life-threatening medical diagnosis, terrorist attack, and other extreme or life-threatening events.

Experiencing trauma may leave a chemical mark on an individual's genes, which is then passed down to future generations, meaning PTSD can be hereditary and one might not have to experience a traumatic event to develop it.

## Complex PTSD

**Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)**, sometimes called **Complex PTSD**, is a condition that involves many of the same symptoms of PTSD along with other symptoms. When the underlying trauma is repeated and ongoing, it can be called C-PTSD.

Although the concept of C-PTSD is longstanding, it is not in the DSM-5, and therefore isn't officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. Many mental health professionals do recognize C-PTSD as a separate condition.

The types of long-term traumatic events that can cause C-PTSD include:

* Child abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
* Domestic violence.
* Genocide.
* Childhood soldiering.
* Torture.
* Slavery.

## References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967

https://psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd

https://www.labroots.com/trending/genetics-and-genomics/14979/inherit-ptsd-parents

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-complex-ptsd-2797491