Post-traumatic stress disorder is something that over 3 million Americans deal with each year. Symptoms of this mental disorder make it difficult for the sufferer to get through everyday life. In most cases, both the individual with PTSD, as well as their friends and families struggle as it affects not only the patient, but everyone around them. Your relationship with the PTSD sufferer may even seem to be deteriorating without explanation. Here are a few signs to look for if you think you might have a loved one who is dealing with PTSD.
The Basic Facts
Among those with PTSD, the majority deal with reoccurring symptoms, such as flashbacks and nightmares or bad dreams. People with PTSD will often have a hard time remembering the event that caused them this trauma and will go so far as to avoid the people, places, and objects that remind them of the experience. Individuals may also have trouble sleeping, seem tense, and are easily startled. These types of symptoms are typical after a traumatic event, but if they seems to continue after a few weeks, PTSD may be the reason why.
A Damper On Emotions
PTSD most certainly has an emotional component to the pain. Emotional numbness, severe feelings of guilt and worry, as well as depression itself, all play a part. The PTSD sufferer will lose interest in activities that they once found to be enjoyable, which is referred by doctors to as anhedonia. According to psychological studies, anhedonia is a red flag that points to the existence of multiple psychiatric disorders in an individual.
The Physical Component
Not only does this disorder cause emotional issues, but it disrupts the mind-body connect, thus the pain manifests itself throughout the sufferers body. Many studies have documented an array of physical symptoms that effect those who deal with PTSD. The most common of which are cardiovascular problems and respiratory issues, as well as neurological and musculoskeletal pain. However, it is thought that many of these physical symptoms are brought on by the initial, emotional component of the disorder.
“If you feel that you or your loved one is experiencing PTSD, I can help” says Dr. Svetlana Kogan, M.D. of Doctors at Trump Place in NYC. “As a certified Master Hypnotherapist, I have helped myself and many people with PTSD, who can now enjoy normal lives. Clients with PTSD have to experience relief at the deepest subconscious level to be completely free of fear. This is why hypnosis and emotional freedom technique which I incorporate in the treatment, are such an important part of therapy. I also teach the clients various coping techniques for handling whatever stress they may be experiencing in every day life moving forward. The new chapter of your life will have you eat healthy, smile a lot, perform simple breathing and yoga exercises, and most importantly – love the person that you are.”
