Those who are serving our country in the military see a great deal of horror, and this experience can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Similarly, if you’re in a severe accident or witness a catastrophic event, you can also experience this disorder.
Fortunately, you can successfully overcome PTSD when you don’t try to go it alone anymore. Even family members and close friends may be doing more harm than good when they may be trying to help you “get past it.”
As you know, it’s not that easy.
PTSD is a very complex psychological issue that can indeed be resolved so you can get back to feeling normal again, and get back to enjoying life. Let’s talk about some of the more common symptoms of PTSD and where you can go to overcome PTSD once and for all.
What Can Happen if I Have PTSD?
Some of the main indicators that you have post-traumatic stress disorder include the following:
Recurring Thoughts About the Event
You may keep having the same memories over and over and over again of the traumatic event. You may feel like you’re becoming obsessive-compulsive about it, because you simply cannot stifle those thoughts.
Unpleasant Dreams or Nightmares
Typically, these frightening dreams occur during your REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which usually starts about 90 minutes after falling asleep. REM sleep is the deepest level of sleep, and it’s when your eyes start to move more than usual during sleep (as observed by someone who is awake, watching your closed eyelids). Typically, this is when a majority of dreams, both good and bad, occur.
Flashbacks
Sometimes, your memories and thoughts of the event seem more realistic. A flashback feels like you’re reliving the event, as if it were happening all over again.
Reactions to Reminders of the Event
In some cases, you might experience either emotional distress or a physical response to a memory about the event. You may react with nausea, vomiting, fatigue, sweating, dizziness, headache, jaw clenching, visual difficulties, thirst, or difficulty breathing or rapid breathing.
Practicing Avoidance of Normal Activities
Sometimes, PTSD will make you want to avoid activities, people, or locations that remind you of the traumatic event. You might also go out of your way to avoid speaking or thinking about the traumatic event.
Lack of Interest in Enjoyable Activities or Pastimes
Sometimes, PTSD will cause you to lose interest in the activities and people you once enjoyed. You might lose interest in your family and friends, or feel detached from them. You may be disinterested in a sport you used to love.
Lack of Emotions
You may have difficulty feeling happy, sad, angry, curious, or any kind of emotion at all. Sometimes, you may feel completely numb.
Experienced Psychiatrist in Southbury, CT and New York City
If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, empathetic, and understanding psychiatrist who knows how to help people get past their past, make an appointment with Dr. Mark Stracks of Psy-Visions. Dr. Stracks serves people in their teens and above, and he will take the time to thoroughly evaluate you for PTSD if you had a traumatic event in your life. We serve New York City, Southbury, Connecticut, and the surrounding areas.
If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment with Dr. Stracks, contact us today by calling us at (718) 887-2918 or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you get past this and back to enjoying life again.
