Most people associate PTSD with serving in combat. Unfortunately, this deters people from seeking the PTSD treatment they may need after a traumatic event. In fact, post-traumatic stress disorder can be caused by any kind of trauma in which your well-being is physically or emotionally threatened:
- Combat exposure
- Physical abuse
- Physical attack
- Rape
- Torture
- Childhood neglect
- Sexual molestation
- Being threatened with a weapon
- Kidnapping
- Mugging
- Robbery
- Civil conflict
- Car accident
- Plane crash
- Fire
- Natural disaster
- Life-threatening medical diagnosis
- Death of a loved one
In addition to the above-referenced incidents, children may be particularly susceptible to PTSD caused by medical interventions, adoption, divorce, and even moving.
If you or someone you know has experienced any one of these traumas, please take the time to review (and share, need be) the following list of PTSD symptoms, as outlined in Overcoming Anxiety, Worry, and Fear: Practical Ways To Find Peace by A Place of Hope founder Dr. Gregory Jantz.
Symptoms of PTSD may include:
- startling easily
- becoming numb emotionally
- isolating from loved ones
- having difficulty with intimacy
- becoming aggressive, hostile, or even violent
- attempting to avoid situations they fear will remind them of the trauma
- having difficulty during significant periods, such as the anniversary of the trauma
- refusing to talk about the trauma with others for fear of triggering a flashback
What you may discover is that a traumatic event had more of a lasting impact on you than you realized. On the other hand, keep in mind that not all trauma causes PTSD. So what you need to do is 1) give the traumatic event the weight it warrants, 2) review and make note of PTSD symptoms you may be experiencing, and 3) reach out to a professional counselor who can help, need be.
View our frequently asked questions on PTSD
Are you or a loved one experiencing PTSD symptoms? A Place of Hope can help. Contact us for information.
Dr. Gregory Jantz
Pioneering Whole Person Care over thirty years ago, Dr. Gregory Jantz is an innovator in the treatment of mental health. He is a best-selling author of over 45 books, and a go-to media authority on behavioral health afflictions, appearing on CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, and CNN. Dr. Jantz leads a team of world-class, licensed, and...
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