5 signs you have PTSD

Many people associate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with soldiers returning from war. While it’s true that combat veterans are at a higher risk for developing this condition, PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Here are five signs that you may have PTSD.

1. Intrusive thoughts or memories
One of the hallmark symptoms of PTSD is reliving the traumatic event through intrusive thoughts or memories. This can happen in the form of flashbacks, which are vivid sensory memories that make you feel like you’re experiencing the trauma all over again. You may also find yourself thinking about the event often, even when you’re not trying to.

2. Avoidance behaviours
It’s not uncommon for people with PTSD to try to avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma they experienced. This may mean steering clear of places, people, or activities that trigger memories of the event. In some cases, people with PTSD will start to avoid thinking about the trauma altogether by numbing themselves with drugs or alcohol or withdrawing from friends and family members.

3. Negative changes in mood and thinking
PTSD can also lead to changes in your mood and thinking patterns. For example, you may find yourself feeling more guilty, depressed, or anxious than you did before the trauma occurred. You may also start to see yourself or others in a negative light. People with PTSD often have trouble Concentrating or remembering things that happened before the trauma took place.

4. Changes in physical and emotional reactions
PTSD can cause physical symptoms like insomnia, nausea, and chest pain. You may also startle more easily or feel more on edge than usual. It’s not uncommon for people with PTSD to become more irritable or aggressive as well as hypervigilant, which means always being on the look out for potential threats.

If you think you might have PTSD, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible. With treatment, most people are able to manage their symptoms and live relatively normal lives again.