Have you, or someone close to you recently suffered something traumatic? If so, it’s probably a good idea to look out for some of the signs of PTSD, just to make sure they’re okay. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health issue affecting about 1 in 10 people, which, as the name suggests, develops following a traumatic event. What exactly is a traumatic event? The definition laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is quite broad, as are the range of symptoms one might experience.
The key reason for this broad definition is anyone can experience or develop PTSD. Although commonly considered a military disorder affecting only soliders, in fact it was originally known as ‘shell shock’, any one can develop PTSD, regardless of whether they personally experienced the traumatic event. It is not uncommon for someone to develop symptoms of PTSD after a close friend or family member experiences something traumatic.
The potential symptoms one might expect if experiencing PTSD are quite broad, although the key feature is they tend to revolve around the traumatic event itself. It’s also important to note you may not notice any symptoms directly after the event, as they can sometimes take months to develop; this is known as ‘delayed expression’.
Some of the symptoms include:
- Distressing memories, dreams or nightmares about the event
- Flashbacks
- Fistress caused by symbols or things which represent the event, as well as the avoidance of these symbols
- Irritable behaviour
- Hypervigilance
- Sleep disturbance
If you, or anyone you know, has recently suffered a traumatic event, whether or not they are currently experiencing any of the symptoms listed out above, please do not hesitate to contact us on 3488 0483, or by email at admin@baypsych.com.au to arrange an appointment with one of our experienced psychologists.
