Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is the survival response to complete overwhelm.  This can occur after experiencing or witnessing one very overwhelming terrifying traumatic event, e.g., a car accident, being shot at, being abused or, having a history of abuse. Or, it can occur from a cascade of overwhelming stressful events. It is the activation of the survival response symptoms with the addition of possible flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Symptoms are easily induced when the person is confronted by a trigger or reminder of the event.

According to one theory, flashbacks occur due to the Amygdala (a small almond shape structure in the brain responsible for setting off the survival response) not knowing what to pay most attention to in the terrifying event. When the terrifying event happens, it completely overwhelms the survival response. Receptors in the Amygdala called ampa receptors take in all the sensory information that is occurring at the time of the event in preparation to keep us safe in the future if a similar event happens. If the brain is not able to successfully process all the stimuli from the event and feel safe, it becomes stuck in a negative feedback loop (like a scratched record). In an attempt to process the trauma, it instead, triggers off the same neurons and the person feels they are experiencing the same event in the present time with all the same senses and emotions firing off.

Everyone’s experience of PTSD can be different and individual. Below are some common signs and symptoms.

Common symptoms of PTSD

(Mind Organisation UK (https://www.mind.org.uk)

Reliving aspects of what happened

This can include:

  • vivid flashbacks (feeling like the trauma is happening right now)

  • intrusive thoughts or images

  • nightmares

  • intense distress at real or symbolic reminders of the trauma

  • physical sensations such as pain, sweating, nausea or trembling.

Alertness or feeling on edge

This can include:

  • panicking when reminded of the trauma

  • being easily upset or angry

  • extreme alertness, also sometimes called 'hypervigilance'

  • disturbed sleep or a lack of sleep

  • irritability or aggressive behaviour

  • finding it hard to concentrate – including on simple or everyday tasks

  • being jumpy or easily startled

  • other symptoms of anxiety.

Avoiding feelings or memories

This can include:

  • feeling like you have to keep busy

  • avoiding anything that reminds you of the trauma

  • being unable to remember details of what happened

  • feeling emotionally numb or cut off from your feelings

  • feeling physically numb or detached from your body

  • being unable to express affection

  • doing things that could be self-destructive or reckless

  • using alcohol or drugs to avoid memories.

Difficult beliefs or feelings

This can include:

  • feeling like you can't trust anyone

  • feeling like nowhere is safe

  • feeling like nobody understands

  • blaming yourself for what happened

  • overwhelming feelings of anger, sadness, guilt or shame.

© Mind. This information is published in full at mind.org.uk

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