What is PTSD?
PTDS is a post-traumatic stress disorder which is triggered by experiencing or witnessing a stressful, life-threatening, and terrifying situation. Victims who have experienced family violence, sexual assault, car accidence, wars are more likely to suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts. Trauma survivors may normally experience fear, upsetting thoughts, flashbacks, and consequently troubles in doing everyday activities.
Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD symptoms may start a day after a stressful event, but sometimes, they may not be present until months or years after the stressful trigger. They can vary from person to person, and usually, people deny having the PTSD.
Symptoms can be different, but most common are nightmares, anxiety, fear, and overthinking about a stressful event. In time, people feel better and symptoms may decrease. However, in some cases, PTSD leads to depression and causes difficulties in social and private life. Negative effects of PTSD are reflected in the appearance of symptoms that include intrusive memories, avoidance, negative thoughts, changes in physical and emotional reactions.
Intrusive memories include continuous and unwanted memories of a stressful situation. A person may suffer from upsetting dreams and unusual reactions to something that reminds of the traumatic event. Unwanted thoughts about that situation, even when the person is awake, make this mental condition even more serious.
Trauma survivors try to avoid thinking about the stressful situation, avoid visiting places or withdraw from people who may remind them of the unwanted event.
Negative thoughts and hopelessness about the present situation and the future, unreasonable fear, lack of self-confidence, and aggressive behavior are changes in emotional reactions and signs of emotional distress.
Effects of PTSD
PTSD causes acute mental disabilities, short-term memory loss, or long-term psychological disturbances, both in children and adults. The effects of PTSD are negative and can cause problems with trust, making new relationships and family relations difficult to establish and maintain.
Those with PTSD are unable to develop friendly and positive interpersonal relationships. They have strong feelings of fear, anxiety, and depression. Trauma survivors lose the ability to trust others, especially family members or emotional partners. They force themselves to live in social isolation, far away from the outside world and possible danger. As time passes, they feel depressed and anxious.
Without proper treatment, people with PTSD may become addicted to illegal substances. These effects lead to worsening mental and physical health.
PTSD can make a person extremely difficult to be with and talk to and has a harmful effect on family relations. Family members with PTSD are more likely to cause marital problems and turn to violence. They may have less interest in sexual activity and communication with emotional partners. Flashbacks and nightmares make sleeping together harder.
Effects of PTSD on a family leave consequences, especially in children. They become more prone to depression and behavior problems. PTSD symptoms in children may vary and can be present later in adult age.
