How do I Know if I Have PTSD?

Post-trau­mat­ic stress dis­or­der (PTSD) occurs when a per­son­’s ​“flight-or-fight” response is dam­aged. When some­one has PTSD they may feel fright­ened or stressed when they are not in dan­ger. PTSD may devel­op after being the vic­tim of phys­i­cal harm, wit­ness­ing phys­i­cal harm or know­ing a loved one who suf­fered phys­i­cal harm. In order to be diag­nosed a per­son must have one re-expe­ri­enc­ing symp­tom, at least three avoid­ance symp­toms and at least two hyper­arousal symp­toms. These symp­toms are list­ed below.

Re-expe­ri­enc­ing Symptoms

• Flash­backs- reliv­ing the trau­mat­ic event over and over
• Bad dreams
• Fright­en­ing thoughts

Avoid­ance Symptoms

• Steer­ing clear of places, objects or events that remind a per­son of their trauma
• Feel­ing emo­tion­al­ly numb
• Strong feel­ings of guilt, depres­sion or worry
• Loss of inter­est in activ­i­ties that used to be enjoyable
• Hav­ing trou­ble recall­ing the trauma

Hyper­arousal Symptoms

• Being eas­i­ly startled
• Dif­fi­cul­ty sleeping
• Hav­ing angry outbursts
• Feel­ing tense or ​“on edge”

If you are expe­ri­enc­ing any of these symp­toms, our Behav­ioral & Men­tal Health providers can help. Sched­ule an appoint­ment today.