Common Symptoms of PTSD and How to Recognize Them

When most people picture PTSD, they often think of military veterans returning from combat. While many veterans do struggle with PTSD, millions of other people experience it after car accidents, medical emergencies, violence, or repeated exposure to suffering at work.

The condition can develop after you directly experience trauma, witness something frightening, or repeatedly encounter traumatic scenarios on the job. PTSD doesn’t reflect a personal failing. It reflects a mind and body working hard to make sense of an event that was too much to process at the time.

This article explores common symptoms of PTSD and how to recognize them in yourself or someone you care about.

What PTSD Is and How It Develops

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition triggered by deeply distressing or life-threatening experiences, such as a serious accident, an assault, a traumatic loss, or chronic exposure to crises. Your brain can stay caught in threat mode, scanning for danger long after the actual threat has passed.

PTSD symptoms must continue for more than a month and disrupt daily life. Some people feel the impact immediately, while others develop symptoms long after the event.

Intrusion Symptoms: Reliving the Trauma

Intrusion symptoms often feel the most overwhelming because they pull you back into the traumatic moment.

You might experience flashbacks that feel like you’re reliving the event, intrusive memories or mental images, nightmares, or strong emotional or physical reactions to reminders.

Triggers can appear suddenly. A sound or smell might set off trembling, nausea, sweating, or a racing heart. These symptoms can make it hard to stay present at work, in relationships, or during daily routines.

Avoidance and Emotional Numbing

Many people with PTSD avoid anything connected to the trauma, like certain conversations, places, or activities. Some keep themselves constantly busy or use substances to push away difficult emotions.

Avoidance can also show up as emotional numbing. You may feel detached from yourself or others, struggle to experience joy, or feel like you’re watching your life rather than living it. Some people also lose memory of parts of the traumatic event, which can feel disorienting. Avoidance often deepens isolation and makes it harder to seek support.

Negative Thoughts and Mood Changes

PTSD can shift the way you see yourself, others, and the world. You might feel unsafe almost everywhere or worry that people can’t be trusted. Many people also experience guilt, shame, sadness, or anger. Self-blame is common, even when it doesn’t match the facts.

Activities that once brought joy may no longer feel meaningful. You might stop reaching out to friends, lose interest in hobbies, or struggle with intimacy, which can strain relationships.

Hyperarousal and Physical Symptoms

PTSD keeps the body’s alarm system turned on. Hyperarousal leaves you tense and alert, even in calm situations. Common symptoms include being easily startled, irritability or frequent anger, difficulty focusing, and trouble falling or staying asleep.

Chronic stress can also lead to a pounding or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest tightness, nausea, or stomach pain. These sensations often feel like medical issues, which can increase fear. In many cases, the nervous system is working overtime to protect you from threats that aren’t present.

Recognizing PTSD in Yourself or Someone You Know

PTSD doesn’t look the same for everyone. Symptoms can appear subtly at first, then slowly interfere with daily life. Signs can include withdrawing from friends or routines, sudden mood or behavior changes, and startling easily. Trauma can affect decision-making, work performance, self-care, and relationships.

If you or someone you care about is showing signs of PTSD, reaching out for help takes courage. Trauma-focused therapies can be highly effective. Many people also benefit from grounding skills, mindfulness practices, and sometimes medication.

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Healing from PTSD is possible. We encourage you to reach out to our practice to learn more about our approach to trauma therapy.

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