Sunday, 02 April 2017 20:11

Five Signs You or a Loved One Has PTSD

signs of ptsd asheville nc

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a neurological response to a traumatic event or season in a person's life. The effects of PTSD can make it difficult for a person to adjust to normal life after the event. It can also be devastating for loved ones who may or may not have witnessed the original cause of the PTSD. 

It may not be immediately obvious whether a person is suffering from PTSD. We have compiled this list of five signs you or your loved one has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, but it is important to remember this collection is not exhaustive. If you or your loved one has experienced a traumatic event, it is important to seek appropriate counseling and therapy. 

1) Reliving the Event through Nightmares or Flashbacks

Military veterans and victims of trauma often relive scenes of traumatic events through vivid nightmares and even daytime flashbacks. If you or your loved one continues to see the event after it is transpired, it can be a sign of PTSD. Furthermore, if the person triggered to react to audible or visual cues, similarly to the way in which he or she would, if they were back in the traumatic situation, it is likely indicative of PTSD.

If the person is reliving the event, it is important to contact a professional. Our practice has seen great success in helping people return to a more normal life after experiencing PTSD.

2) Emotional Numbness and Negative Feelings toward Others

You may notice a change in a person’s outlook, especially toward other people, following a traumatic event. This can be indicative of PTSD. This change of feeling may include:

  • Emotional disconnectedness
  • Pessimism toward other people
  • Loss of empathy
  • Less romance

3) Avoiding Situations that Remind Person of Event

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If you are suffering from PTSD, you may not even fully realize that you are avoiding situations that could potentially trigger your memory of the traumatic event. Loved ones and those close to you probably are aware of it. If you are avoiding potential trigger situations for a prolonged period of time, you should seek professional, medical assistance.

4) Loss or Suppression of Memories Related to the Event

A person suffering from PTSD may suffer from memory loss, or suppression of memories surrounding the traumatic experience. This may seem to manifest as a refusal to talk about “what happened”; however, it could be a sign of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

5) Depression, Fatigue, and Difficulty Sleeping

Any change in mood, energy level, and sleep patterns after traumatic events could be indicative of PTSD. Do not hesitate to contact a medical professional, if you or someone you care about is exhibiting these signs and symptoms. In our Asheville practice, we take PTSD very seriously, and we have seen success with people return to a level of normalcy.