PTSD Doesn’t Only Affect Soldiers – It Could Affect You Too.  Many people associate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with combat soldiers. However, most sufferers of PTSD were never in the military. Any traumatic event can result in PTSD.

The ability to deal with trauma and stress varies greatly from person to person. While some people can handle nearly any event without long-term effects, others are more fragile.

PTSD is much more common than most people realise!

PTSD symptoms include:

Flashbacks

Flashbacks or other forms of reliving the event.  A sound or smell, even a voice or a song, a car backfiring or a helicopter passing overhead can be enough to trigger flashbacks, even a panic attack. These can include bad dreams, recurring thoughts, or being triggered by anything that reminds the sufferer of the traumatic event. Physical symptoms are usually experienced, including pain, sweating, and trembling.

It’s possible to see the traumatic event clearly in your mind’s eye. It is as if it is happening all over again.

Hypervigilance.

This is an over-alertness in anticipation of possible danger, such as scanning crowds for dangerous people, sitting in a certain place at home to avoid being seen through windows, or over-reliance on weapons in case terrible guys suddenly invade the home.

The person suffering from hypervigilance is consumed with the idea that something terrible will happen. So, they’re always prepared for the worst, even if it is unlikely. This can look like paranoia to the casual observer.

Disturbed sleep.

Insomnia is a common symptom in those with PTSD. Nightmares and night sweats can also occur. It’s not easy to sleep when you have post-traumatic stress disorder.

Irritability and aggressive behaviour.

Those with PTSD are often easily agitated and are prone to overreacting with aggression.

Altered thoughts.

This may take the form of believing that the sufferer is bad or that all people are bad. Feelings of guilt, shame, and anger are also common.

These symptoms can range from annoying to life-altering. At the most extreme, sufferers of PTSD are unable to work and pose a severe threat to themselves and others. Suicide is common in the most extreme cases. And those with PTSD are known to hurt others as well.

There are many possible causes of PTSD outside of combat:

1. Sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse is more common in children than any of us would like to acknowledge. This is a powerful trauma that many victims struggle to process effectively.

2. Emotional abuse/Domestic Violence

The mind can only take so much abuse before it changes negatively. Emotional abuse can have effects that last years after the abuse. This can happen in adults as well as children.  The actual impact of domestic violence on children – whether emotional or physical may only ‘show up’ in the child many years later when some ‘thing’ or ‘event’ triggers the hidden feelings.

3. Physical abuse or other violence.

Regular physical abuse can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s also possible for single events to result in PTSD. This can include being the victim of a violent crime such as robbery or rape.

4. Bullying.

Playground bullying, sibling bullying, workplace bullying. Bullying comes disguised in many forms: Isolation / dismissive / insults / violence / abuse / ignoring or exclusion. Some People use their words as a sword, which cuts twice as profoundly as a blade, and the scars last a lifetime.

5. Stressful experience.

It could be a car accident, almost falling off a cliff, the health issues of a loved one, or seeing someone suffer an injury. Nearly anything that creates a strong stress response can cause PTSD.

6. Mental illness.

Many mental illnesses can be stressful. They can also make the sufferer much more susceptible to stressful events.

High-Risk Occupations

Occupations with a high incidence of PTSD outside of the military are:

First responders: police officers, Highway patrol traffic police, Firemen, Emergency services—ambulance, Paramedics, Midwives, doctors and nurses, and—surprisingly—teachers and aid workers (bullying).

PTSD is a common challenge among those who have never served in the military or with the police. Trauma can be found nearly anywhere in society. Watching a loved one die or experiencing a mugging can result in post-traumatic stress disorder.

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, know that help is available. Make an appointment with your physician or a TRTP Therapist for support and to bring your life back into balance.