Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition caused by witnessing traumatic incidents. While it can affect anyone, it’s mainly associated with veterans or major accident survivors. PTSD can affect individuals in various aspects, including emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
According to WHO, an estimated 3.9% of the world population has experienced PTSD at some point in their lives. In the U.S., the National Center for PTSD estimates that about 6% of adults will experience PTSD at some point in their lifetime, and around 5% struggle with it each year. Women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop PTSD (8 in 100 vs. 4 in 100), highlighting the importance of gender-sensitive care.
Understanding the key symptoms of PTSD is a key step in recognition and effective care. In this piece, we will walk you through 17 symptoms of PTSD, trauma therapy, and PTSD treatment options. Whether you see signs in yourself or a loved one, this guide breaks down everything you need to know, from classic to the lesser-known symptoms that impact daily life. Let’s dive in!
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health or psychiatric condition that can occur in individuals who have experienced traumatic events. Common examples of PTSD include military combat, sexual assault, natural disasters, severe accidents, or emotional abuse. It can be characterized by symptoms like intrusive thoughts, flashbacks of the incidents, nightmares, negative perspective towards life or oneself, and several others.
In the U.S., veterans are among the most impacted groups, with studies showing that 11–20% of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan experience PTSD in a given year.
Based on various symptoms, there are different types of PTSD, including:
- Acute Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: This is a short-term condition where symptoms develop in the first month and last less than three months.
- Complex PTSD (C-PTSD): Long-term, repetitive traumatic incidents can result in complex PTSD. This condition involves additional symptoms like emotional regulation difficulties and unseen interpersonal issues. Symptoms last longer than six months and can be noticed under the same or related conditions.
- Uncomplicated PTSD: Uncomplicated PTSD is the most common type. It’s linked to one major traumatic incident and can be easily treated with therapy. Symptoms of uncomplicated PTSD include avoidance of trauma memories, flashbacks to the event, sudden mood change, and changes in relationships.
How do the Symptoms of PTSD Affect Daily Life?
Living with weird symptoms of PTSD can be like walking through a mental minefield. They can disrupt relationships, affect productivity, impact memory, alter emotional responses, and impair overall well-being. A few common effects of PTSD symptoms people report are:
- Difficulty maintaining focus at work or school
- Concentration difficulty
- Emotional numbness or hypersensitivity
- Fear of public places
- Unexplained headache and dizziness
- Getting easily startled
- Insomnia or nightmares
- Social withdrawal
Due to the similarity of the symptoms, the symptoms of PTSD in women can be internalized and misattributed to depression or general anxiety, making the symptoms of PTSD in women harder to diagnose and treat.
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The 17 Symptoms of PTSD
Mental health professionals generally group PTSD symptoms into four clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative mood/cognition changes, and arousal/reactivity. This framework is used by the DSM-5 and the American Psychiatric Association to guide diagnosis and treatment.
Now that we understand the impact PTSD can have on everyday life, it’s important to know the symptoms to treat it effectively. So, what are the 17 symptoms of PTSD? The signs of PTSD attack can be categorized into four main symptom clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in mood, and hyperarousal. Read on to learn about complex PTSD symptoms and when to contact a healthcare provider.
1. Intrusive Memories
Intrusive memories are vivid, recurring, and upsetting memories of the traumatic event. The study of depression and anxiety explains that intrusive memories are the stuck thoughts that can cause consistent thoughts of the incident.
2. Flashbacks
Flashbacks are a sense of almost reliving the trauma. Flashbacks can feel as real as the original experience. This can cause people to experience unexplained behaviour change or anxiety attacks. Factors that can cause flashbacks include similar smells, sounds, places, weather changes, music, and others.
3. Nightmares
Disturbing nightmares of the related or the same traumatic incident are common in PTSD. For several individuals, this leads to insomnia and fear of sleep. According to studies, more than 50 percent of people experience this symptom.
4. Memory Loss
Temporary memory fading of particular incidents is a common symptom of PTSD. Memories are often related to the incident. Short-term memory is an individual’s ability to recall specific episodes from one’s past. Evidence shows that the Hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for emotions and memory, may be related to memory loss from PTSD, which may be related to a smaller hippocampus.
Individuals with PTSD appear to have a smaller area of memory than those without the condition, showing signs of anxiety, fear, and memory loss.
5. Physical Reactions to Triggers
Self-isolation, crowd fear, unexplained frustration, anger, panic attacks, anxiety, sweating, racing heart, concentration difficulty, low energy, or nausea when exposed to trauma-related reminders are all physical triggers common in PTSD.
6. Difficult beliefs or feelings
People with PTSD may experience difficult beliefs or feelings. These may include:
- Trust issues (unable to trust others in any type of relationship)
- Fearful and unsafe (feeling as though nowhere is safe)
- Blaming themselves for the event
- Overwhelming thoughts of anger, shame, or guilt
- Unable to express flight or fight mode in relevant situations
7. Avoidance of Places or People
Purposely avoiding situations, locations, or individuals that remind one of the trauma incident is a common avoidance behavior in PTSD.
8. Loss of Interest in Pleasurable Activities
People with PTSD symptoms find that they lose interest in activities they used to enjoy. They express little or no desire to engage in these activities. Apathy towards hobbies, social interactions, or life goals.
9. Distorted Guilt or Blame
Without any realistic assessment of the situation, individuals tend to take on the blame for the trauma or feeling deep shame, even when they are not responsible. This leads to low self-worth and a lack of self-confidence.
10. Emotional Numbness
Emotional numbness is one of the core symptoms of PTSD. It shows a restricted range of showing emotional comfort and discomfort. People often report feeling detached from loved ones or a general loss of interest in their surroundings.
11. Feeling Detached or Isolated
A numbed emotional state, making it hard to connect with others is a common experience triggered by various factors, including life changes, stress, or general health conditions.
12. Difficulty Experiencing Positive Emotions
One of the lesser discussed symptoms of PTSD is a lack of positive emotions. Trouble feeling joy or love. It’s a neurological response to traumatic incidents. The brain, overwhelmed by the stress of the incident, makes the individual believe in the negative thought and suppresses a positive emotional response.
13. Irritability or Angry Outbursts
Sudden irritability or anger over minor inconveniences often leads to relationship conflicts. These outbursts are a trauma response that may stem from long-term betrayal, helplessness, or injustice.
14. Reckless or Self-Destructive Behavior
Self-harm behavior, substance abuse, reckless driving, or excessive drug or alcohol use become ways to cope or feel in control.
15. Hypervigilance
People with hyperarousal PTSD find it difficult to relax and get comfortable in their surroundings. Hypervigilance is exaggerated alertness to potential threats, constantly scanning the environment.
16. Exaggerated Startle Response
Sudden fear of loud noises or unknown movement, and jumpiness that interferes with daily routines, are very common in PTSD.
17. Trouble Sleeping or Concentrating
People with PTSD often struggle with restless nights and find it hard to concentrate during the day.
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In addition to these symptoms, some individuals may also experience weird symptoms of PTSD, like unexplained headaches, toothache, chronic pain, dizziness, or gastrointestinal issues, which aren’t typically recognized as mental health symptoms.
When to Seek Professional Help?
If you or someone close to you is going through post-traumatic stress disorder that lasts longer than a month, it’s essential to consult with a mental health professional and get it treated on time. Recognizing the signs of a PTSD attack and treating them on time can be life-saving.
PTSD Treatment Options
PTSD is easily treatable. Here are evidence-backed PTSD treatment options to explore:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Medication
- Group Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Yoga and Mindfulness
- Specialized Trauma Therapy
- Talk Therapy
Additional Approaches:
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Pharmacotherapy: FDA-approved SSRIs such as sertraline and paroxetine are effective for many individuals with PTSD.
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Family Therapy: Helps loved ones understand the disorder, reduce conflict, and provide supportive environments.
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Holistic Support: Lifestyle interventions like regular exercise, meditation, and nutrition can improve resilience, sleep, and overall well-being.
Conclusion
Understanding the 17 symptoms of PTSD is not just about diagnosing a disorder; it’s about reclaiming control of your life and acknowledging that trauma is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s a completely normal and treatable issue. Whether the symptoms are mild or debilitating, early intervention can change lives. With the right therapy, support, and self-awareness, healing is always possible.
FAQs
1. What are the categories of the 17 symptoms of PTSD?
The 17 symptoms of PTSD fall into four major categories: intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative cognitions, and hyperarousal. These symptoms include insomnia, flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, irritability, lack of confidence, long-term sadness, lack of interest in hobbies, and several others.
2. What are the symptoms of PTSD in women?
Along with the general symptoms of PTSD, PTSD in women may present differently from that in men. Women often experience more emotional sensitivity, anxiety, and depression, which can be associated with other mental health issues in women.
3. What are complex PTSD symptoms?
Complex PTSD symptoms are the long-term trauma response, such as childhood abuse or domestic violence. It can bring trust issues and deep-rooted self-worth challenges, requiring specialized trauma therapy.
4. List the weird symptoms of PTSD.
Weird symptoms of PTSD are less common symptoms, including chronic fatigue, memory lapses, dizziness, and unexplained physical pain. These can be linked to the long-term effects of PTSD and are often overlooked, even though they significantly impact quality of life.
5. Can PTSD go away on its own?
PTSD rarely goes away without intervention. Symptoms may reduce over time, but professional treatment is often necessary for long-term recovery.
6. How long does it take to recover from PTSD?
Recovery varies; some people improve in months with therapy, while others may require years of ongoing care.
7. What are the first signs of PTSD?
The first signs often include intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, and heightened anxiety.
8. Can PTSD be mistaken for anxiety or depression?
Yes, PTSD symptoms overlap with depression and generalized anxiety, which is why professional evaluation is critical.