PTSD is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Symptoms of PTSD may disrupt your life and make it hard to continue with your daily activities. You may find it hard just to get through the day.
From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are four types of PTSD symptoms:
1. Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms), memories of a traumatic event can come back at any time. You may feel the same fear and horror you did when the event took place.
A. You may have nightmares.
B. You may feel like you are going through the event again. This is called a flashback.
C. You may see, hear, or smell something that causes you to relive the event. This is called a trigger. News reports, seeing an accident or loud noises can be examples of triggers.
2. Avoiding situations that remind you of the event. Avoid situations or people that bring back the memories.
A. You may avoid crowds, because they feel dangerous.
B. You may avoid driving if you were in a car accident or if your military convoy was bombed.
C. If you have had War experience, you made avoid or not like to watch War movies.
D. You may keep very busy or avoid seeking help because it keeps you from having to think or talk about the event.
3. Negative changes in beliefs and feelings and other changes because of the trauma.
A. You may not have positive or loving feelings toward other people and may stay away from relationships.
B. You may forget about parts of the traumatic event or not be able to talk about them.
4. Feeling keyed up (also called hyper arousal), jittery, always alert, and on the lookout for danger.
You may also become angry or irritable.
A. You may have a hard time sleeping.
B. You may have trouble concentrating.
C. You may be startled by a loud noise or surprise.
D. You may want to have your back to a wall in a restaurant or waiting room.
If you are a Veteran and have any of these symptoms, you may have PTSD. Seek Help from the Veterans Health Administration or the Veterans Service Commission of Clermont County in Batavia, Ohio (513) 732-7363.