Many think of combat veterans when talking about post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However anyone who witnesses or experiences an event or events that involve actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation is at risk to develop PTSD. These events can be as wide ranging as a car accident, natural disaster, witnessing a crime, workplace accident or traumatic birth experience.
Individuals who learn of a close relative or friend involved in death or threatened death and professionals (e.g. first responders) repeatedly exposed to the traumatic details can also be diagnosed with PTSD. The condition is far more wide-reaching than the stereotypes often associated with it.
PTSD Symptom Clusters
In order to be diagnosed with PTSD, a doctor or clinician will look for symptoms from each of four symptom clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity. Each of these categories provides key insight into how trauma manifests in day-to-day life.
The patterns are unique to each person, and clinicians rely on the presence of multiple symptoms across clusters to build a full picture of the diagnosis.
Variations in Symptoms
The symptoms adults experience may vary. For a few people, the symptoms become so severe they cannot take care of themselves. Some may struggle with hyperarousal and nightmares, while others experience emotional numbness or avoidance of reminders of the trauma.
Children may show symptoms like repetitive play or physical problems such as stomachaches and headaches. Their expressions of trauma can often be mistaken for unrelated behavioral or physical conditions, making early diagnosis more complex.
Timing and Onset of PTSD
Just as the symptoms differ, so does the onset of PTSD. While symptoms typically appear within three months of the traumatic event, it can be many months or even years later that people begin to have problems. This delayed onset can make it difficult for individuals and their loved ones to connect current challenges with past trauma.
Awareness of this delayed trajectory is essential so that individuals do not dismiss their struggles or fail to connect them to treatable conditions such as PTSD.
The Good News: PTSD Can Be Treated
The good news is that PTSD can be treated. If someone you know experienced a trauma, encourage them to get help dealing with the event. The sooner they talk about it and work on it, the better off they will be and the less likely they are to experience PTSD.
Treatment options range from psychotherapy to medication and community support. Early intervention is key, and even those who develop symptoms long after the trauma can benefit from reaching out to mental health professionals.