What Are the Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post traumatic stress disorder is a very severe anxiety disorder that is couple with emotional problems. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is normally the result of witnessing trauma or violence or being a victim of trauma or violence yourself. Abuse, watching someone being abused, seeing a violent fight, watching someone die, being sexually abused, witnessing sexual abuse of a friend or loved one, neglect as a child, infants being left alone at night, crib sleeping, hospitalization, growing up in foster homes and suffering disruptive attachment, being left to scream all alone in an incubator after birth, being forced to separate from parents too early such as by being kept in a daycare setting, or witnessing domestic violence are just some of the many examples of traumatizing situations that will cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (NIMH, 2009; Couture, 2008 and 2009). Some children have also been known to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of physical discipline because physical discipline has been known to be very frightening to some children, causing them to have immense fear or dread towards their parents or caregivers. On the subject of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder being caused by the physical discipline of children, Lurie A. Couture writes that "Many children in our culture suffer symptoms of trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from distressing and frightening treatment such as physical punishment, and severe abuse and neglect. Trauma affects all areas of a child's development and actually rewires the child's brain, causing emotional problems that may be misdiagnosed. Trauma is believed to be stored in parts of the brain that prevent therapy, maturity, learning and insight from healing it, causing symptoms to last for decades" Couture, 2008 and 2009). In order to know if you or your loved one has Post Traumatic Stress disorder, it will be wise to become knowledgeable about the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, so you can truly be able to assess the situation at hand.

Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Adults

The symptoms of Post traumatic stress disorder in adults are flashbacks of the events that took place or feeling that they can occur again, nightmares, out-of-control scary thoughts, staying away from places or things that serve as reminders of what happened, sleep troubles, feeling anxious, outbursts of anger, and thoughts of hurting oneself or others. The symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in adults are dependent on the individual, as not everyone will have the same symptoms. For instance, one individual may have outbursts while others may not. Some who may want to repeatedly hurt themselves, and then the thought of doing such a thing may not ever cross the minds of other individuals. Everyone is unique (NIMH, 2008 and 2009).

Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children

The symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in children are different than the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in adults. One of the symptoms of Post traumatic Disorder in Children is regression. Younger children may regress back to when they were infants. Toilet training may suffer or not happen at all because they will absolutely refuse to use the toilet, and they will not be at all interesting in the training process. Children who are slightly order may exhibit infantile behaviors, but not quite as severe as those exhibited by toddlers. Another of the symptoms of Post traumatic Stress Disorder is being silent. Some children are so traumatized that they are not able to speak. This part of them completely shuts down. Children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder may also refuse to go places, interact with others, or engage in play with their friends. Not to mention, it is common that they will complain of headaches and stomachs on an almost constant basis (NIMH, 2008 and 2009).

If you or any of your loved ones exhibit any of these symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, it is wise to consult a doctor or mental health professional. These professionals can best help you or your loved ones address these problems, so they will not plague the lives of you or them.

Sources

Couture, L. A. (2008 and 2009). Attachment Parenting and Natural Education. Retrieved from http://childadvocate.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12&Itemid=12

NIMH. (2009, April 2). Post traumatic Stress Disorder. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/ publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-easy-to-read/index.shtml#pub5