May is PTSD Awareness Month. PTSD, also known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is one of the manifestations of experiencing trauma. There are four main signs of PTSD that can help you identify if you or someone you know is experiencing it.
The Many Names for PTSD
PTSD has been known as a variety of names through time. Typically recognized as what soldiers experience after war time, PTSD wasn’t officially termed as such until 1980, when it was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (at that time, it was called the DSM-III). There were lots of names for PTSD, such as ‘combat fatigue,’ but there wasn’t much discussion about how PTSD can exist in individuals who didn’t experience war. In the mid-1900s, more scholars and researchers started to understand that PTSD can affect individuals besides soldiers. Victims of crime, disaster survivors and many others can experience PTSD.
1. Flashbacks.
Flashbacks are one of the biggest indicators of PTSD. For some, these flashbacks happen in pieces or all at once. Items called ‘triggers’ can cause a flashback: smells, buildings, even words or phrases are all ways in which flashbacks can happen to those experiencing PTSD. Sometimes, the flashbacks occur as part of an individuals’ dreams.
2. Avoidance.
Individuals who experience PTSD will most likely avoid things that trigger them. They might avoid places, foods, noises or even people that cause them to experience a flashback or even a panic attack.
3. Mood swings.
Mood swings are also common for individuals experiencing PTSD. These mood swings can vary in extremity, but it could also be that their mood doesn’t shift normally in certain situations. From depression to hyperactivity, those experiencing PTSD can experience a range of emotions that can shift at any time, especially if exposed to a trigger.
4. Extreme reactions.
People who experience PTSD can react extremely to situations. Whether they are constantly on guard or distressed in loud situations (such as a concert), or they are quiet and introspective when most people would get angry, people experiencing PTSD have reactions that don’t match the context of the situation.
If you or someone you know are experiencing PTSD, getting treatment from a Licensed Therapist or Psychiatrist is encouraged. With advances in technology and accessibility, there are event virtual therapy programs available to those who can't make in-person appointments!