We are living in a world where a tragedy can strike us at any moment. And when that happens, it leaves behind its trail in the guise of a trauma. PTSD is post-traumatic stress disorder that can happen to anyone who has either experienced a traumatic event or seen someone close to them gone through something traumatic. It can happen to anyone from a first responder to a traumatic event to an actual victim of a trauma. This debilitating condition doesn’t discriminate in leaving its effect on people.
PTSD happens often to the survivors of traumatic experiences like a terrorist attack, accident, near death experience, war or sexual assault. All these can leave behind a residual effect in the minds of the survivors. If one of your loved ones has recently gone through a similar experience, they might be dealing with PTSD quietly. Sometimes, people are not even aware of what they are going through until someone points it out to them. So, look for these below signs as they are the symptoms of PTSD.
1. Recurring Flashbacks Of The Trauma
It takes a while for the survivor to shake off the after-effects of a traumatic event. Until then, it is likely that the survivor will continuously have flashbacks from their traumatic experience which can happen for minutes or days at a time. The survivors would constantly struggle with the nightmares from the past and would struggle in silence that can sometime manifests into physical reactions like a scream, shivering of the body etc.
2. Nightmares Can Make Them Insomniacs
The intensity or horror of their nightmares can render them sleepless. The effect of a traumatic event can leave a deep impact on the minds of the survivors. The trauma can haunt as nightmares in their sleep as well. And their nightmares can leave them with a fear of the trauma happening all over again. So, this can stop them from sleeping and can make them insomniac. And their inability to sleep will not make their lives any easier. So, be compassionate towards your loved ones and encourage them to sleep.
3. Randomly Lashing Out
Everyday chores can become difficult for them. It can lead to drastic mood swings and random episodes of lashing out without any provocation of any kind. This person in question can be characteristically a laid back individual, but PTSD can cause some behavioral changes in them. Recognizing these changes in your partner or loved one can help in controlling a long term damage. You can help them deal with their issues in the beginning itself to minimize the damage of the situation.
4. Loss Of Interest In Their Favorite Pastimes
Things that they enjoyed deeply before the traumatic event would suddenly stop being interesting to them. They would be lost even when they are engaged in their favorite pastimes. This is a very clear tell. This shows a deep depressed state of mind of the survivor. But not all survivors would be so easy to read. Some would be able to hide their state willfully under the guise of fake interest. But a loved one can be hard to fool. Loved ones can always distinguish between the real and the fake. So, recognize the difference and help them in coming out of their misery.
5. Persistent Tension
Trauma survivors with PTSD will have a difficult time with finding their zen. Persistent tension would become a constant companion for them and they won’t be able to hide it either. So, if your partner or a loved one is constantly tensed without any reason, then they are silently dealing with PTSD. Normal things like loud horn can throw them into a panic attack. So, keep a look out for these signs to help your loved ones cope with the aftermath of their trauma experience.
PTSD can be managed and cured with patience, guidance and love. Trauma survivors with PTSD are strong individuals who need some love and care from their loved ones to gain back their confidence and love for life.
