Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Help to Stop Reliving a Moment in Time

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

We are living in a time where school shootings, mass shootings, gun violence, war, natural disasters, sudden deaths, and violent crimes are not just things we read about in the newspaper, but instead we have experienced. Enduring any of these traumatic experiences can have a lasting effect on an individual and those that love that individual.

Days, weeks, months, or years can be filled with symptoms that can vary from mild to severe and cause disruptions in the individual’s life. Psychiatry.org defines “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or person witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist attack, war/combat, or rape who have been threatened with death, sexual violence, or serious injury”. Symptoms of PTSD can develop within a month of experiencing a traumatic event, however in some individuals it may not develop until a year or more after the event took place. PTSD symptoms can cause issues in several areas from health, relationships, problems on job, issues maintaining employment, and a lack of fulfillment in enjoying daily activities.

Individuals struggling with PTSD can feel like they are stuck reliving the event over and over as flashbacks and nightmares become part of their daily living. Intrusive thoughts about impending doom or fear replace the sense of safety that once was there. Isolating or avoiding any remembrance of the trauma can lead to increased levels of anxiety and depression. A person feels numb and detached from people and things that used to bring so much joy. A heightened sense of alertness or awareness puts strain and stress on a person’s health.

An individual experiences changes in sleeping patterns, mood, become easily startled, increased engagement in risky behaviors, and stuck reliving a traumatic moment in time. Around 50 per cent of all adults will face a traumatic event at least once in their lives. Common reactions to a traumatic event are anger, depression, anxiety, avoidance, grief, and increased fears. Memories of the past trauma can come to mind for several days or weeks. The fact that a traumatic event has taken place, does not mean that a person will develop PTSD. However, the fact remains that the sooner the person seeks treatment after the trauma, can greatly reduce the effects that trauma will have on that person’s life. Allow us to help you to move forward:

Northwest Behavioral Health Services

2392 N. Edgewood Avenue

Jacksonville, Florida 32254

904-781-7797

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