Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Anyone experiencing a traumatic event beyond the human experience can have post-traumatic stress disorder. The traumatic events which are considered to be the main causes of post-traumatic stress disorder can range from natural disasters such as earthquakes and tornadoes to acts of violent crimes such as rape, assault and torture. It is not that PTSD affects only persons experiencing the traumatic situation, a person witnessing the tragedy can also fall prey to post-traumatic stress disorder. However, a person who personally experiences the tragic event shows more intensified and long lasting symptoms than the person only is witnessing the traumatic event.

Amongst all the symptoms, the most common symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder are:

• Loss of interest in activities those once (before the traumatic event) were pleasurable. This condition is also known as Anhedonia.
• Nightmares related to the traumatic event usually caused by reminders of the trauma
• Feelings of estrangement and detachment from others
• Experiencing flashbacks so vivid as if the trauma was taking place all over again
• Emotional numbness meaning being out of touch from your usual feelings
• Distressing, repetitive thoughts about that traumatic event
• An endeavor towards preventing feelings or thoughts that are some how related to the traumatic event.
• Refraining from activities or other situations related to the trauma. For instance, refraining or developing a phobia of driving after being involved in a car accident.
• Long lasting symptoms of increased anxiety such as difficulty in concentrating on any particular thing, difficulty in staying or falling asleep, irritability, frequent outbursts of anger and easy startling

If the above symptoms persist for a period of more than one month then the person is considered to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. If you show these symptoms for a period of less than one month duration then it cannot be said that you have a PTSD but an additional form of anxiety disorder known as the Acute Stress Disorder. Though the causes triggering acute stress disorder are the same as that of PTSD, it's symptoms are not that long-lasting and wane within a period of one month. Everything said and done, the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder is available and includes a variety of techniques that help to get rid of PTSD.