The Complete Guide to Understanding PTSD Symptoms and Getting Effective Care

What is PTSD and its symptoms

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It causes distressing symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety. Let’s dive into the details of what PTSD is, what causes it, who is at risk, and what you can do if you or a loved one may have PTSD.

What Does PTSD Stand For?

PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. It is a mental health condition that can happen after living through or seeing a traumatic event, like war, a natural disaster, a bad accident, physical or sexual assault, or other severe events.

The condition was first named “shell shock” in soldiers during war. Today it has an official medical name and diagnosis. PTSD can happen to anyone who goes through trauma, not just soldiers.

What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?

People with PTSD relive their trauma in various ways long after the event is over. Their lives are disrupted by upsetting memories, anxiety, and emotional numbness. PTSD symptoms are grouped into four main categories:

Intrusive Thoughts and Memories

• Flashbacks – reliving the trauma over and over
• Nightmares – scary dreams about the trauma
• Upsetting memories – repeatedly recalling traumatic details

Avoidance

• Avoiding reminders – of the trauma, such as people, places, activities
• Emotional numbness – feeling detached, withdrawn, disconnected
• Memory loss – about parts of the trauma

Arousal and Reactivity

• Being easily startled – feeling jumpy and on guard
• Self-destructive behavior – drinking, risky activities
• Irritability and anger – outbursts, aggression
• Trouble concentrating – difficulty focusing, forgetfulness

Cognition and Mood

• Negative thoughts – about oneself, others, the world
• Fear, guilt, shame – blamed for the trauma
• Loss of interest – in previously enjoyed activities
• Feeling alienated – from friends, family, everyone else

Symptoms can vary over time. They may come and go, increase or decrease. PTSD rarely goes away completely without treatment. Symptoms typically get worse with stress or reminders of the trauma.

What Causes PTSD?

PTSD is not caused by a personal weakness or character flaw. Here are the main causes of PTSD:

• Experiencing a traumatic event – this triggers the brain’s natural response to prioritize survival, altering how the brain processes memories and emotions.
• Severity of the trauma – events that cause life threat, physical harm, or make you feel helpless increase the risk. The more direct the exposure, the greater the risk.
• Early childhood traumas – neglect, abandonment, and abuse in childhood make people more vulnerable to PTSD as adults.
• Genetics – genes that regulate stress hormones may contribute to higher PTSD vulnerability.
• Brain differences – scans show altered brain activity in regions that control memories, emotions, arousal, and reasoning in people with PTSD.

No two people experience trauma the same way. A traumatic event can lead to PTSD in one person but not cause PTSD in another. The main factors that determine whether PTSD develops are the nature of the trauma and each person’s unique coping abilities.

Who Gets PTSD?

PTSD can happen to anyone who has lived through a traumatic event. About 3.5% of American adults every year suffer from PTSD.

Here are the people most likely to develop PTSD:

• Combat veterans – up to 30% develop PTSD. Seeing battle, being shot/injured, killing others are high risk factors.
• Sexual assault victims – up to 50% of rape victims get PTSD. Childhood sexual abuse also strongly increases risk.
• Physical assault victims – up to 33% of battered women develop PTSD.
• Child abuse survivors – trauma at a young age predisposes people to getting PTSD as adults.
• Disaster survivors – rates as high as 50% for severe disasters like mass shootings and earthquakes.
• Serious accident survivors – up to 21% of motor vehicle accident survivors get PTSD.
• People with a history of mental illness – prior anxiety, depression, and PTSD increase vulnerability.

However, anyone can develop PTSD after going through a trauma – first responders, emergency workers, people with no known risk factors. Reactions vary widely.

When Do PTSD Symptoms Start?

PTSD symptoms typically begin within 3 months of the trauma. But they can also first appear later:

• Acute PTSD – symptoms last under 3 months
• Chronic PTSD – symptoms last over 3 months
• Delayed onset PTSD – symptoms begin at least 6 months after trauma

Delayed onset PTSD is less common but does happen. A person may seem fine at first, only to develop PTSD down the road. Getting treatment promptly improves outcomes.

How is PTSD Diagnosed?

A mental health professional like a psychologist or psychiatrist diagnoses PTSD based on:

• Symptoms – experiencing enough PTSD symptoms from each category
• Duration – symptoms lasting over a month
• Functional impairment – reduced ability to function at home, work, school due to symptoms
• Exclusion of other causes – symptoms are not better explained by medication, a medical condition or other mental disorders like psychosis, mania, or anxiety disorders

Self-assessment tools like questionnaires can indicate if someone may have PTSD. But a licensed clinician must confirm the diagnosis through an in-person clinical interview.

PTSD vs. Acute Stress Disorder

Acute stress disorder has similar symptoms to PTSD but lasts less than a month after trauma. If acute stress disorder symptoms persist longer than a month, it’s diagnosed as PTSD.

Think of acute stress disorder as the early response, while PTSD is the lingering response. Not everyone with acute stress disorder goes on to develop PTSD. Prompt treatment can often resolve acute stress disorder before it progresses to full blown PTSD.

Complex PTSD

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) results from long-term trauma like abuse during childhood or domestic violence. It has additional symptoms like:

• Emotional regulation difficulties
• Changes in self-concept
• Social/interpersonal problems

CPTSD is not an official diagnosis yet. It was proposed as a subtype of PTSD needing specialized treatment. For now, CPTSD is diagnosed as regular PTSD with note of the complex features.

How Common is PTSD?

Recent PTSD statistics show:

• 7-8% of the population will have PTSD at some point in their lives
• 3.5% of US adults have PTSD during a given year
• Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD
• Up to 20% of veterans have PTSD after serving in war zones

But PTSD is underdiagnosed – people do not always recognize symptoms or seek help. So the rates may be higher than reported.

What Are Common PTSD Triggers?

PTSD triggers bring back memories of the trauma and spark distressing symptoms. Triggers are often related to the event itself. Common ones include:

• Places – the location where the trauma happened
• People – someone who was present during the trauma
• Sensations – pain, heat, pressure, sounds, or smells associated with the trauma
• Emotions – feeling afraid, angry, ashamed, guilty
• Situations – anything resembling the traumatic circumstances
• Dates and times – anniversaries of the trauma

Sufferers may not even know exactly what triggered their symptoms in some cases. Becoming aware of triggers can help people anticipate and manage symptoms.

Can PTSD Be Prevented After Trauma?

There are things that may help minimize the chances of developing PTSD after a trauma:

• Psychological first aid – crisis counseling shortly after the trauma
• Talk therapy – help processing emotions soon after the event
• Medication – short term use of anti-anxiety meds or sedatives
• Support network – close family and friends to lean on
• Self-care – resting, healthy eating, sufficient sleep
• Avoidance coping – limiting alcohol/drug use and isolation

However, there are no guarantees against developing PTSD. The nature of the trauma has a major influence on whether PTSD follows. All anyone can do is try their best to take care of mental health after a crisis.

Does PTSD Ever Go Away?

PTSD can be very persistent, especially without treatment. Symptoms usually begin soon after the trauma but may come and go over time.

Here are the possible outcomes with PTSD:

• Chronic PTSD – symptoms last for over 3 months with no relief
• Delayed onset – symptoms appear at least 6 months later
• Relapsing-remitting – symptoms flare up during stressful times
• Recovery – symptoms eventually resolve to the point of leading a normal life

The good news is PTSD is treatable for most people. Research shows therapy leads to significant improvement for around half and total remission for around 1/3. But symptoms can still return under stress.

How is PTSD Treated?

Professional treatment is recommended for PTSD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tends to be most effective. Treatment generally involves:

Therapy

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) – CBT with a trauma focus
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy – safely facing trauma memories
• EMDR – processing trauma memories while doing eye movements
• Group therapy – connecting with other trauma survivors

Medication

• Antidepressants – SSRIs and SNRIs to reduce symptoms
• Anti-anxiety drugs – clonazepam or prazosin for associated anxiety and insomnia
• Mood stabilizers – for irritability, aggression, and impulsivity

A combination of psychotherapy and medication is often used. Other approaches like mindfulness and family therapy can also help. Treatment is tailored to each person’s specific symptoms and issues.

9 Lifestyle Changes That Help PTSD

Along with professional treatment, making lifestyle changes can support PTSD recovery:

1. Socializing – connect regularly with close family/friends
2. Relaxation practices – yoga, deep breathing, meditation
3. Exercise – walk, swim, cycle to reduce stress
4. Healthy eating – minimize sugar, processed foods, alcohol
5. Nature time – walk in green spaces to restore calm
6. Good sleep habits – keep a consistent sleep schedule
7. Joining a support group – feel understood by others with PTSD
8. Quieting activities – reading, listening to music, praying
9. Avoiding isolation – loneliness makes PTSD worse

While these strategies alone are not enough, they can make day-to-day life more manageable. Adopting healthy coping skills aids recovery.

What Complications Can Result From PTSD?

PTSD sufferers have a higher risk of developing other mental and physical health conditions, including:

• Depression – moderate to severe depression
• Substance abuse – alcohol or drug abuse to cope with symptoms
• Other anxiety disorders – panic disorder, OCD, social phobia
• High blood pressure – hypertension brought on by stress
• Obesity – from overeating and unhealthy behaviors
• Heart problems – higher heart disease and stroke risk factors
• Chronic pain – headaches, muscle pain, arthritis
• Autoimmune diseases – higher risk of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
• Dementia – cognitive decline later in life

Getting PTSD treated promptly reduces the likelihood of developing related health issues. But PTSD can have widespread effects on mental and physical well-being if left unaddressed.

Does PTSD Increase Suicide Risk?

Yes, PTSD is linked to an elevated risk of suicide. The combination of traumatic memories, extreme anxiety, guilt, shame, and social isolation can become unbearable. Thoughts of suicide provide an escape.

Statistics show that:

• Up to 21% of people with PTSD have attempted suicide
• Over 70% of people who have attempted suicide have PTSD

Suicidal thoughts are a psychiatric emergency. Quick intervention can stabilize someone in crisis. Reducing access to lethal means, keeping someone company, encouraging treatment, and offering hope saves lives.

Can Children Get PTSD?

Yes, children can develop PTSD after traumatic events. The symptoms may differ compared to adults:

Preschool children may revert to earlier behaviors like:

• Bedwetting, speech difficulties
• Excessive separation anxiety
• Reenacting the trauma during play

School age children may exhibit:

• Irritability, outbursts
• Trouble paying attention
• Avoidance of school and friends
• Worries about future dangers

Teens may experience:

• Impulsive and reckless behavior
• Nightmares and flashbacks
• Self-harm or suicidal thinking
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Social withdrawal

Parents and caregivers need to help kids process trauma in an age-appropriate way. Counseling at any age can prevent long-term effects of trauma.

Does PTSD Affect Relationships?

PTSD often deeply affects relationships with loved ones. A person with PTSD may:

• Isolate themselves from family and friends
• Lose interest in intimacy or experience sexual difficulties
• Have trouble expressing positive feelings
• Seem emotionally numb or disconnected
• Act irritable, reactive, and quick to anger
• Be hypervigilant about surroundings
• Have limited patience with children

Partners and family members can also develop their own trauma symptoms, known as secondary traumatic stress. They may feel weighed down, frustrated, sad, angry, and hopeless seeing their loved one suffer.

Couples counseling helps partners learn how to communicate, set boundaries, and take care of themselves. It prevents relationship damage and secondary trauma.

Does PTSD Impact Work Ability?

Yes, PTSD frequently interferes with people’s ability to work and perform at their usual level. Difficulties include:

• Trouble concentrating, learning new tasks
• Forgetting instructions, details
• Being easily startled, irritable
• Preoccupation with trauma memories
• Anxiety when driving or commuting
• Conflicts with coworkers and managers
• Missing work for therapy appointments
• Difficulty handling high stress

Unemployment rates for people with PTSD tend to be high. Symptoms like flashbacks, panic attacks, and anger issues make workplace functioning hard.

Getting treatment and onsite job accommodations enables many people with PTSD to continue working successfully.

Can PTSD Be Worse at Certain Times?

PTSD symptoms often worsen due to triggering events like:

• Anniversaries of the trauma – memories and difficult feelings surge
• Similar traumatic events – news of another disaster or violent attack
• Holidays – emotions run high and support systems may be absent
• Change in seasons – the time of year the trauma occurred
• Birthdays and celebrations – positive events turn into sad reminders
• Therapy appointments – revisiting trauma brings symptoms back

Becoming aware of patterns around when PTSD gets worse allows people to be prepared and manage symptoms proactively, like by scheduling extra therapy sessions.

Why Do PTSD Symptoms Improve and Worsen?

PTSD symptoms fluctuate in response to internal and external factors like:

Improved coping – therapy and self-care make symptoms better able to manage

Prolonged stress – financial problems, conflict, lack of support can worsen PTSD

Trauma reminders – triggers like certain dates, places, sensations

Substance abuse – drinking or using drugs makes symptoms worse

Depression – feeling low and hopeless exacerbates PTSD

Positive events – symptoms ease during times of lower stress and happiness

Medications – may dampen or amplify symptoms

Tracking factors connected to better or worse PTSD symptoms allows for identifying coping strategies and stressors to modify.

Does Service Dog Help PTSD?

Specially trained psychiatric service dogs can help people with PTSD in many ways:

• Calming anxiety – the presence of the dog during panic attacks
• Lessening nightmares – by sleeping near or waking up handlers
• Decreasing isolation – motivated to go outside walking the dog
• Reality grounding – when dissociating or having flashbacks
• Creating routine – feeding, exercising provides structure
• Medication alerting – reminding handler to take pills
• Hypervigilance aid – scoping out environments, providing security

However, service dogs are expensive and a big commitment. The right match between dog and handler is crucial. Service dogs help manage some but not all PTSD symptoms.

Should I Tell People I Have PTSD?

Deciding whether to disclose having PTSD is a personal choice. Here are some potential pros and cons of telling people at work, school, in your social circle that you have PTSD:

Pros

• Explain anxiety, moodiness
• Request accommodations/modifications
• Identify sources of support
• Reduce stigma through education
• Prevent misjudgments and conflict
• Get empathy and help

Cons

• Discrimination at work, school
• Others being uncomfortable around you
• Treated differently, labeled “fragile”
• Unwanted probing questions
• Need to repeatedly explain yourself
• Privacy feels invaded

Think carefully about who you tell, how, and what you want to disclose. Sharing judiciously with trusted confidants often yields the best results. You get to decide how “out” you want to be.

What Kinds of Doctors Treat PTSD?

• 
  Psychiatrists – medical doctors who specialize in mental health conditions; can prescribe medications for PTSD
• Psychologists – mental health professionals with a PhD or PsyD; provide counseling and therapy
• Clinical social workers – have an MSW degree; trained to diagnose and treat mental health disorders
• Psychiatric nurse practitioners – RNs with specialized psychiatry training; can prescribe medications

Family doctors and primary care providers can also screen for PTSD and coordinate referrals to mental health specialists. Other types of therapists can help manage PTSD symptoms, like marriage counselors, drug and alcohol counselors, hypnotherapists, and art/music/dance therapists.

Having a comprehensive team of both medical and mental health professionals is ideal for fully treating PTSD’s many symptoms and complications.

What FDA Medications Are Approved for PTSD?

Only two medications are specifically FDA-approved to treat PTSD:

• Sertraline (Zoloft) – an SSRI antidepressant
• Paroxetine (Paxil) – an SSRI antidepressant

However, doctors may prescribe other antidepressants that are approved to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and OCD, since PTSD has similar brain chemistry features.

Commonly prescribed meds include:

• SSRIs – Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa
• SNRIs – Effexor, Cymbalta
• Tricyclic antidepressants – amitriptyline, doxepin
• MAOIs – phenelzine, selegiline

Anti-anxiety meds like benzodiazepines may be used short term to manage severe anxiety. Atypical antipsychotics can treat PTSD symptoms like hypervigilance and paranoia in refractory cases when other medications haven’t worked.

Are Therapists Required to Report if You Have PTSD from Trauma?

Generally, no – therapists are not required to report if their client has PTSD specifically. Confidentiality laws protect privacy in therapy.

However, there are exceptions where therapists might have to report:

• If the trauma involves child abuse or elder abuse
• If you disclose thoughts of harming yourself or others
• If asked by court subpoena to share treatment records
• If you need documentation for disability benefits

It’s important to understand informed consent, limits of confidentiality, and mandated reporting laws in your state. Be open with your therapist about any concerns.

Most therapists aim to develop trusting relationships with clients and protect privacy. They want you to feel comfortable sharing freely so they can help you best.

Can You Claim PTSD as a Disability?

Yes, you may be able to get Social Security Disability benefits if PTSD prevents you from working. Requirements include:

• A confirmed diagnosis from a mental health professional
• Experiencing specific disabling symptoms – like flashbacks, panic attacks, memory issues
• Significant difficulty working for over a year due to the symptoms
• Severe impairment in daily living – needing help caring for yourself
• Ongoing treatment with therapy, medications that has not helped sufficiently

It can take a lot of time and medical evidence to get approved for PTSD disability. Hiring a disability lawyer improves your chances of success.

Can Massage Therapy Help PTSD?

Massage therapy helps some people ease PTSD symptoms like:

• Anxiety – relaxing the nervous system
• Muscle tension – releasing tightness from chronic stress
• Insomnia – promoting deeper sleep
• Headaches – reducing strain from clenching and grinding teeth
• Emotional numbness – helping reconnect to bodily sensations

However, massage may feel uncomfortable and unsafe for PTSD patients who don’t like to be touched or have trouble relaxing. It should only be done by an experienced therapist who makes you feel at ease. Deep breathing during the massage enhances benefits.

While not a substitute for psychotherapy or medication, massage can be part of a holistic approach to managing PTSD.

Does Art Therapy Help PTSD?

Yes, working with art in a therapeutic setting can benefit some individuals with PTSD. Potential gains include:

• Expressing and processing emotions through art that may be difficult to articulate
• Relaxation and stress relief from the creative process
• Building a trauma narrative to make sense of what happened
• Enhanced self-awareness through symbolism and metaphors
• Developing a mastery experience after trauma took away control

Art therapy may incorporate drawing, painting, sculpting, collage making, music, dance/movement, or writing. A trained art therapist guides the sessions, interprets the art, and helps connect it to PTSD treatment goals.

Can PTSD Develop Years Later?

Yes, it’s possible for PTSD symptoms to emerge years after a traumatic event occurred, which is known as delayed-onset PTSD.

Reasons PTSD may develop late include:

• Avoiding thinking about the trauma – not fully processing it
• New triggering event – reminds you of the past trauma
• Life stress accumulation – harder to cope as responsibilities grow
• Changes in brain – new stage of life like menopause or aging
• Decline in health – illness lowers ability to regulate emotions
• Retirement – loss of work identity and less daily structure

Getting help for delayed-onset PTSD is just as critical as treating acute PTSD. The sooner you reach out, the more treatable symptoms are, regardless of how long it’s been.

Can You Recover from PTSD without Medication?

Yes, it’s possible to recover from PTSD without taking psychiatric medications. Many people improve significantly from therapy techniques like:

• Cognitive processing therapy
• Prolonged exposure
• EMDR
• Stress inoculation training
• Dialectical behavior therapy

Lifestyle changes like social support, exercise, nature exposure, relaxation practices, and routine also help manage PTSD. Joining a support group provides additional coping strategies.

However, medication combined with therapy leads to better outcomes for most patients. Discuss all treatment options thoroughly with your doctor.

Does Hypnosis Work for PTSD?

Clinical hypnosis by a trained therapist may help reduce some PTSD symptoms, especially:

• Anxiety – relaxation techniques provide calming
• Insomnia – visualization aids restful sleep
• Flashbacks – learning self-hypnosis to remain grounded in the present
• Pain – redirecting focus away from discomfort
• Smoking cessation – post-trauma smoking often increases

But hypnosis remains controversial and should not replace standard PTSD treatments. More research is needed on its long-term efficacy.

Can Medical Marijuana Help PTSD?

A growing number of states approve medical marijuana for PTSD. Initial research shows cannabis may help some patients:

• Improve sleep – less nightmares
• Reduce anxiety – lower heart rate and distress
• Restore appetite – combat avoidance of eating
• Block traumatic memories – dissociate from reminders

However, marijuana does not treat underlying causes. It may dull emotions rather than process trauma. More studies are underway on marijuana risks and ideal strains for PTSD relief.

Patients should consult doctors as cannabinoids interact with many medications. Recreational use often backfires by worsening psychiatric disorders. Legal medicinal marijuana may offer limited benefits for tough-to-treat PTSD.

What Criteria Qualify a Trauma for PTSD?

Not all difficult events result in PTSD. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), qualifying PTSD trauma must:

• Involve death, serious injury, sexual violation, or threats to physical safety or integrity
• Be experienced directly, witnessed happening to others, or learned occurred to close friends/family
• Invoke intense fear, horror, or powerlessness
• Be considered traumatic by most people – objectively terrifying

Events like a bad relationship breakup or losing a job are distressing but do not meet PTSD trauma criteria. While profoundly upsetting, not all of life’s adversities can cause PTSD’s specific symptoms.

Can You Have PTSD Without Remembering the Trauma?

Yes, it’s possible to develop PTSD from a trauma you don’t recall because you:

• Passed out during the event
• Were too young to form lasting memories
• Have amnesia due to a head injury
• Dissociated from unbearable trauma
• Were under the influence of drugs/alcohol
• Have extreme memory suppression as a coping mechanism

Lack of memory does not mean lack of impact. PTSD’s effects on the brain, body, and emotions after a highly distressing event can occur without explicit memories. Treating the symptoms is most important, even without recall of the original cause.

Can PTSD Develop from Childhood Bullying?

Being severely bullied, especially over an extended time, can certainly cause PTSD in some children and teenagers.

Signs of PTSD from bullying include:

• Reliving bullying through memories, flashbacks, nightmares
• Avoiding school, social situations that risk re-exposure
• Emotional numbness, isolation from peers
• Trouble sleeping, angry outbursts
• Intense anxiety, exaggerated startle response
• Decline in academic performance

Seeking counseling, alerting school staff, and encouraging new friendships helps minimize PTSD from forming after bullying. Childhood traumas lead to deeper adult PTSD if left untreated.

Does TENS Unit Help PTSD Symptoms?

TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) units may offer PTSD relief by:

• Elevating mood – stimulating release of endorphins
• Lessening anxiety – altering nerve impulses
• Reducing muscle tension – relaxing clenched muscles
• Decreasing pain – releasing tightness, spasms
• Improving sleep – promoting deeper relaxation

TENS units work by delivering small electrical pulses to nerve fibers via electrodes placed on the skin. Settings are adjustable for desired stimulation.

While more evidence is needed, TENS is inexpensive, drug-free tool that may be worth trying under a PT or doctor’s guidance for anxiety, pain, and sleep problems. It should not replace other PTSD treatments.

What PTSD Symptoms Improve with Time?

Many PTSD symptoms naturally lessen in severity over time, including:

• Anxiety – feeling less threatened as trauma fades
• Insomnia – falling asleep gets easier
• Intrusive memories – flashbacks become less vivid
• Hypervigilance – decreased startle response
• Anger – irritability levels out

However, time alone does not resolve PTSD. Symptoms may wax and wane, subsiding for a period before flaring up again. Getting trauma-focused psychotherapy and making lifestyle changes speeds recovery.

Certain symptoms tend to persist like traumatic amnesia, sadness, low self-esteem, and dissociation. But learning to manage PTSD through courage, support, and skilled treatment brings hope.

Do Service Dogs for PTSD Require Special Training?

Yes, service dogs for PTSD undergo specialized training tailored to the symptoms and needs of people with PTSD. Training includes commands for:

• Interrupting episodes like panic attacks, flashbacks, and dissociation
• Turning on lights or clearing rooms to ease hypervigilance
• Tactile stimulation to disrupt emotional numbness or sensory flashbacks
• Guiding handlers away from anxiety-producing situations
• Waking handlers from nightmares
• Alerting to oncoming triggers and signs of distress

The right PTSD service dog provides a comforting yet vigilant presence attuned to its handler’s vulnerabilities. The deep understanding service dogs develop with their people makes them invaluable.

Does Acupuncture Help PTSD?

Some studies show acupuncture may aid PTSD recovery by:

• Reducing anxiety – calming the nervous system
• Lessening insomnia – promoting deeper sleep
• Relieving muscle tension – common from chronic stress
• Lifting low mood – boosting serotonin, dopamine
• Decreasing pain – often accompanying PTSD
• Minimizing drug cravings – if self-medicating trauma
• Improving focus – sharpening attention span

However, more research on acupuncture for PTSD is needed. It should serve as an adjunct, not alternative, to standard treatments like therapy and medication. Acupuncture may help manage certain symptoms but does not address the root trauma.

Can Narcissistic Abuse Cause PTSD?

Yes, experiencing emotional abuse from a narcissistic partner, family member, or friend can lead to PTSD. Gaslighting, verbal assaults, sabotage, exploitation, and betrayal by a narcissist take an immense psychological toll over time.

PTSD symptoms that can result from narcissistic abuse include:

• Hypervigilance about saying/doing the “right” thing
• Isolating yourself to avoid conflict
• Irrational guilt, self-blame
• Feeling constantly on edge
• Depression, suicidal thoughts
• Panic attacks when encountering triggers

If you believe narcissistic abuse caused PTSD, seek counseling specifically for trauma survivors. With skilled help, your symptoms can improve and self-esteem can be rebuilt.

Can EMDR Be Used to Treat PTSD?

Yes, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is an effective treatment for PTSD. EMDR helps the brain properly process and integrate traumatic memories so they no longer cause distress.

Key aspects of EMDR include:

• Recalling trauma details while performing guided eye movements
• Using other bilateral types of stimulation like taps or sounds
• Following the associative process wherever it leads
• Gaining new perspectives on the trauma
• Learning adaptive coping behaviors

Multiple studies support EMDR’s PTSD benefits. Significant relief often occurs within just 6-12 sessions when done by a certified EMDR therapist.

How Common is PTSD in Firefighters?

Studies indicate PTSD rates in firefighters range between 7-37%.

Factors putting firefighters at high PTSD risk include:

• Constant exposure to death and destruction
• Seeing burned or wounded victims
• Nearly dying in a fire or collapse
• Having a fellow firefighter die in action
• Post-trauma lack of social support
• Insufficient recovery time between calls
• Prior traumas accumulating over many years

Counseling, peer support, family communication, and time off after disturbing calls can help lower the PTSD burden on firefighters and paramedics. Taking steps to preserve mental health is vital.

Does PTSD Qualify You for Social Security Benefits?

Yes, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits may be available if your PTSD prevents you from working.

To qualify, you must provide medical documentation of:

• A qualifying trauma and PTSD diagnosis
• Inability to work due to symptoms like flashbacks, panic attacks, memory/focus issues
• Ongoing impairments lasting over 12 months
• Participation in recommended treatments like therapy and medication
• Hospitalizations or ER visits related to PTSD

The process can take time and patience. Hiring a disability attorney to handle your claim is strongly advised.

Do Weighted Blankets Help PTSD?

Weighted blankets are therapeutic tools that may ease some PTSD symptoms like:

• Anxiety – the gentle pressure has a calming effect
• Insomnia – helps tense bodies relax into sleep
• Nightmares – feeling secure lowers dreaming
• Restlessness – encourages stillness
• Hypervigilance – comforting, cocoon-like comfort
• Loneliness – surrounds you with comfort

The best weighted blankets allow adjustable pressure. Use caution if you have claustrophobia. Weighted blankets should not replace other PTSD treatments but can augment therapy.

Can PTSD Symptoms Come and Go?

Yes, it’s common for PTSD symptoms to come and go over time. They may:

• Flare up during periods of high stress
• Surge around traumatic anniversary dates
• Fade when life is relatively calm and happy
• Seemingly disappear for a while
• Return months or years later despite long dormant periods (delayed-onset PTSD)

This waxing and waning of symptoms reflects how our brains and bodies process trauma memories and stimuli unpredictably. We cannot fully control when PTSD gets better or worse.

Working consistently on recovery techniques provides some symptom stability. But healing from PTSD tends to occur gradually, with ups and downs.

Can Men and Women Experience PTSD Differently?

Yes, research suggests men and women tend to exhibit PTSD somewhat differently.

Women often display:

• Heightened startle reaction
• Greater anxiety
• Higher rates of depression
• Increased isolation
• More physical symptoms

Men often display:

• Irritability and anger
• Aggression and violence
• Reckless behaviors
• Substance abuse
• Emotional numbness

Men with PTSD are more prone to lash out through verbal abuse, reckless driving, physical altercations, risky sexual behaviors, and alcohol/drug use. Women frequently direct distress inwards.

These are general patterns only. PTSD affects men and women on a personal, individual basis, regardless of gender-based tendencies. The trauma experience matters most. Effective treatment should be tailored to each person’s needs.

Can You Claim PTSD for VA Disability?

Yes, veterans can file a VA disability claim for PTSD connected to trauma experienced during military service.

The VA requires:

• An official PTSD diagnosis from a mental health professional
• Confirmation of a qualifying in-service stressor
• Medical records showing impairment in functioning
• Establishing a link between current symptoms and in-service trauma

Veterans should work with an accredited VA representative to file a fully documented claim. VA disability pay and health coverage are granted based on PTSD severity ratings from 0-100%.

Does Caffeine Make PTSD Symptoms Worse?

High caffeine intake can exacerbate anxiety, insomnia, and agitation in those with PTSD. Caffeine is a stimulant that activates the fight-or-flight nervous system, which is already over-sensitive in people with PTSD.

Reducing coffee, tea, soda, and energy drink consumption is advisable. Limit to one small cup in the mornings only. Avoid caffeine after noon so as not to disrupt sleep.

Decaf beverages, herbal teas, and lemon water are healthier alternatives. Getting exercise, fresh air, sunlight, and social connection provides energy without caffeine’s side effects.

What PTSD Treatments Are Covered by Insurance?

Most insurance plans cover some PTSD treatments like:

• Therapy – individual, group, family, EMDR
• Psychiatric medication
• Inpatient psychiatric hospitalization
• Partial hospitalization programs
• Intensive outpatient programs
• Neurofeedback

But coverage and copays/coinsurance costs vary. Steps to take:

• Verify your plan’s mental health benefits
• Get preauthorization for recommended treatment
• Use in-network providers to minimize out-of-pocket fees
• Appeal any denied claims by providing medical necessity documentation

Don’t let insurance obstacles prevent getting needed PTSD care. Many therapists offer sliding fee scales as well.

Does PTSD Qualify You for a Service Dog?

Yes, people with PTSD may qualify for a service dog trained to perform tasks helping them function better. Examples include:

• Fetching medication, providing tactile stimulation to disrupt flashbacks
• Guiding handler away from triggers like crowded places
• Turning on lights to ease hypervigilance
• Waking handler from nightmares
• Placing body against handler to calm anxiety attacks
• Alerting to signs of distress like panic or dissociation

ADA laws protect rights to public access for handlers with psychiatric service dogs. Documentation from a mental health professional documenting PTSD disability and need for a service dog may be required.

Can PTSD Develop After One Traumatic Event?

Yes, PTSD can occur after a single traumatic experience without any prior trauma history. One intensely disturbing event is enough to generate PTSD’s onset.

Examples of traumatic one-time events leading to PTSD include:

• Serious car accident
• Major natural disaster
• Near-death experience
• Witnessing a fatal event
• Violent physical or sexual assault
• Severe animal attack
• War zone exposure

The key is that the event involved actual or threatened death/injury/violation and invoked extreme fear, helplessness, or horror. A one-time trauma permanently alters the brain’s fear circuitry.

Can You Do Psychedelics If You Have PTSD?

Psychedelic substances like LSD, magic mushrooms, ayahuasca, and MDMA are risky if you have PTSD. While some limited studies show promising results, recreational use carries dangers.

Potential hazards include:

• Severe anxiety, panic attacks
• Re-experiencing trauma vividly
• Losing touch with reality
• Flashbacks, hallucinations
• Dangerous behavior while intoxicated
• Interactions with psychiatric medications

The setting, dosage, preparation, and expert guidance are crucial for therapeutic versus harmful outcomes. Never attempt without medical supervision.

Focus on evidence-based treatments for PTSD recovery. Psychedelic-assisted therapy requires much more research before going mainstream.

Does Testosterone Help PTSD?

There may be a link between PTSD and low testosterone levels in men. Trauma stresses the body, which can suppress testosterone production.

Increasing testosterone may potentially help some male PTSD symptoms like:

• Depressed mood – testosterone boosts serotonin
• Low motivation – impacts dopamine
• Fatigue – testosterone increases energy
• Poor concentration – enhances mental focus
• Reduced sex drive – regulates libido

However, research is early and conflicting. Ruling out other causes of low testosterone is important. Testosterone therapy has significant health risks if not medically indicated. Work with an endocrinologist to determine if treatment is warranted.

Does PTSD Make You Age Faster?

The physiological effects of severe, chronic stress may accelerate cellular aging in people with PTSD.

PTSD symptoms like hyperarousal, anxiety, and insomnia create harmful inflammation. Cortisol and adrenaline disrupt the body’s repair and maintenance processes. Shortened telomeres indicate premature aging.

People with PTSD tend to have higher rates of:

• Chronic disease – heart disease, diabetes
• Cancer
• Dementia
• Osteoporosis
• Wrinkles
• Hair loss
• Obesity

Effective PTSD treatment can reverse damage and extend longevity. But unmanaged long-term PTSD takes a real toll on physical health and longevity.

Can You Treat Both PTSD and Addiction?

Yes, PTSD and substance abuse require coordinated treatment for the best chance of recovery. Integrated programs address both conditions at the same time.

Steps include:

• Detox and achieving sobriety
• Stabilizing mood and behaviors
• Intensive therapy for trauma and addiction
• Medication management if warranted – antidepressants, Campral
• Ongoing community support – 12-step, counseling

It’s critical to uncover the source trauma fueling addictive behaviors. Developing healthy coping skills to replace self-medicating is the goal. With time, dedication, and peer support, healing is possible.

Does Fasting Help with PTSD?

Some people with PTSD report occasional fasting helps improve symptoms like mood, focus, sleep, and anxiety.

Potential reasons fasting may help include:

• Reduced inflammation
• Eliminating cravings for unhealthy comfort foods
• Resetting gut microbiome balance
• Allowing the digestive system to rest
• Sparking release of BDNF and endocannabinoids

However, fasting can also trigger headaches, irritability, brain fog, and blood sugar crashes. It is not for everyone. Always consult your doctor before attempting therapeutic fasting.

While fasting may offer limited benefits, it should not take priority over psychotherapy, medication, support groups, and lifestyle adjustments which more consistently help PTSD.

Does PTSD Cause More Health Problems?

Yes, the chronic stress of PTSD can significantly harm physical as well as mental health. People with PTSD have higher risk for:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Heart attack and stroke
• Ulcers and digestive issues
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue
• Headaches
• Sexual dysfunction
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Thyroid disorders
• Accelerated aging

Managing PTSD through counseling, stress-reduction, healthy lifestyle habits, and medication improves overall wellness. Unresolved PTSD threatens long-term health.

Can Neurofeedback Help PTSD?

Neurofeedback trains the brain to better regulate emotions through enhancing sleep, processing trauma memories, and reducing hyperarousal.

It works by measuring brain waves in real-time and providing visual or auditory feedback when desired wave patterns occur. This reinforces optimal neural firing related to:

• Relaxation
• Focus
• Impulse control
• Flexible thinking

Multiple studies confirm neurofeedback’s ability to reduce PTSD symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, nightmares, and panic attacks. While more evidence is still needed, it is an encouraging therapy to try under an expert’s care.

Does PTSD Qualify for Medical Marijuana?

Currently about two-thirds of U.S. states include PTSD as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana. Laws are rapidly changing to expand access.

However, marijuana is not FDA approved to treat PTSD. Research on risks, ideal strains and dosages, and long-term effects is limited.

Talk to your psychiatrist about the pros/cons. Be sure to disclose any decision to use medical cannabis. Fully legal recreational marijuana also enables access in some states.

While anecdotes of PTSD relief exist and the potential is promising, more evidence is still needed. Using THC and CBD under medical supervision is safest until research catches up to demand.

Can PTSD Be Misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder?

Yes, there is some overlap in symptoms between PTSD and bipolar disorder that can lead to misdiagnosis. These include:

PTSD

• Irritability
• Risky behavior
• Hypervigilance
• Concentration problems
• Insomnia

Bipolar

• Risky behavior
• Rapid speech
• Distractibility
• Insomnia
• Paranoia

However, a trained mental health professional conducts tests and clinical interviews to correctly differentiate the conditions. Key distinguishing characteristics include:

PTSD – flashbacks, traumatic triggers, avoidance coping

Bipolar – euphoric mania, depressive lows

Getting clarity through a thorough assessment ensures accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Does PTSD Ever Truly Go Away?

For many people, PTSD symptoms significantly improve to the point of leading a happy, fulfilling life. But PTSD tends never to fully go away.

Reasons include:

• Trauma memories cannot be permanently erased
• Triggers can randomly bring symptoms back
• Stress exacerbates post-trauma vulnerability
• The brain stays overly sensitized

With effective coping skills, symptoms often quiet to barely noticeable background noise. But PTSD remains in the wings, ready to reassert itself during times of lowered resilience.

Accepting this truth, without letting it discourage progress, allows for greatest thriving. We all have challenges; PTSD is one that waxes and wanes.

How Many Sessions of EMDR Are Needed for PTSD?

While everyone’s PTSD and EMDR response is unique, most people need 6-12 sessions for significant improvement.

Factors determining EMDR duration include:

• Number of past traumas
• Complexity of memories
• Skill integrating bilateral stimulation
• Ability to quickly process traumatic material
• Degree of social support outside sessions
• History of prior treatment attempts

After the initial EMDR trauma processing phase concludes, periodic “tune up” sessions are useful during stressful times or triggering events. EMDR provides lasting tools to manage post-trauma life.

Can You Have Delayed Onset PTSD Years Later?

Yes, it’s possible to develop delayed onset PTSD years after a traumatic event. PTSD symptoms may emerge down the road because:

• You avoided thinking about the trauma.
• Life stressors like divorce or job loss pile up.
• A major anniversary or similar event triggers memories.
• Your health declines or cognitive abilities change with age.
• You retire and lose the distraction of work.
• Other priorities like caregiving end, allowing trauma processing.

In some cases, PTSD stays dormant for decades only to surface later due to accumulated life burdens. But treatment at any age provides real hope for recovery.

How Do I Convince a Loved One to Get Help for PTSD?

You can’t force someone into PTSD treatment, but you can make a compassionate case by:

• Pointing out specific behaviors that concern you
• Explaining the emotional toll their struggle has on you
• Reminding them that recovery is possible with professional help
• Outlining the ways untreated PTSD worsens over time
• Offering to help find providers and schedule appointments
• Suggesting trying therapy as an act of self-care, not weakness
• Encouraging mutual support groups like Warrior’s Journey

Ultimately, they must choose to pursue help for themselves. Leading by positive example, while setting emotional boundaries, provides the best influence.

What Conditions Comorbid with PTSD?

PTSD frequently co-occurs with other mental health disorders like:

• Depression – feeling hopeless and unmotivated
• Anxiety – worrying excessively
• OCD – unwanted repetitive thoughts
• Bipolar disorder – cycling mood episodes
• Substance abuse – drinking or drugs to cope
• Eating disorders – restricting, binging, purging
• Personality disorders – unstable relationships
• Suicidality – belief life isn’t worth living

Having multiple diagnoses does not mean untreatable. Integrated care from a collaborative team provides tools to manage complex mental health challenges.

Can Service Dogs Help Veterans with PTSD?

Yes, trained service dogs can significantly help veterans with war-related PTSD by:

• Providing comfort during flashbacks or panic attacks
• Decreasing nightmares and improving sleep
• Alerting to potential dangers or triggers like crowds
• Preventing isolation by encouraging activity
• Waking from nightmares or dissociation
• Modeling deep pressure touch for grounding

Service dogs form an invaluable healing bond with veterans struggling with PTSD. Together they build a new mission of hope, purpose, and unlimited love.

Can a Chiropractor Help PTSD?

Chiropractic care cannot directly treat PTSD’s root psychological trauma. But it may aid physical symptoms commonly accompanying PTSD like:

• Chronic back, neck, and joint pain
• Headaches
• Grinding teeth
• Numbness/tingling
• Insomnia

Chiropractic adjustments realign the nervous system for optimal functioning and release muscle tension caused by stress. While not curative, whole-body chiropractic care supports well-being.

Ask your mental health provider for chiropractor referrals. Integrative approaches promote PTSD healing.

Are PTSD Hallucinations Common?

While less frequent than flashbacks, hallucinations do occur in some people with PTSD.

They involve:

• Seeing visceral images of the trauma
• Hearing sounds or screams from memories
• Smelling associated odors like smoke, blood, chemicals
• Feeling tactile sensations like being struck
• Tasting flavors linked to the trauma

Hallucinations result when the brain has trouble differentiating past from present. They feel terrifyingly real in the moment. Medication, grounding techniques, and distinguishing triggers lessen their intensity.

How Common Are Seizures and PTSD?

Studies reveal up to 22% of people with PTSD experience seizures, compared to just 2% of the general public.

Reasons PTSD increases seizure risk include:

• Chronic stress altering brain cell communication
• Neurotransmitter imbalances
• Sleep deprivation
• Medication side effects
• Head injuries possibly accompanying trauma

The good news is gaining control over PTSD through therapy and self-care may also reduce seizure frequency. Focus on stress management and healthy lifestyle habits that support your brain.

Can You Do Psychedelics for PTSD?

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD shows promising results but remains experimental.

Potential benefits being studied include:

• Reduced avoidance and numbing
• Rewiring neural connections
• Increased insight and openness
• Reprocessing trauma memories
• Elevated mood, optimism

However, many risks exist without expert therapeutic guidance. Recreational use can re-traumatize. Proper set, setting, dosage, and preparation are mandatory.

Work with your doctor regarding enrolling in a legitimate clinical trial. But focus first on proven PTSD treatments before trying unregulated options.

Does VR Exposure Therapy Help PTSD?

Yes, virtual reality exposure therapy is an emerging PTSD treatment that helps patients gradually face trauma-related situations in a safe, controlled virtual environment.

Benefits include:

• Repeated exposure practice to master triggers
• Total immersion for brain to adapt
• Avoiding real-world risks during exposure
• Anonymity and privacy
• Greater access to tailored scenarios

Studies confirm VR effectively reduces PTSD symptoms like flashbacks, panic attacks, and avoidance coping. Adding VR tools expands therapists’ options for activating trauma processing.

Final Thoughts on Living with PTSD

The pain of PTSD is undeniable, but so is the capacity for growth. Give yourself time and compassion to grieve trauma’s losses. But ultimately, have courage to reclaim meaning, purpose, and joy again.

Healing happens through small brave steps forward each day. Progress flows from moments of support, laughter, and love.

Let the darkness teach you empathy and gratitude. You have strength and resilience within. There are helpers ready to walk with you.

Your lived experiences – all of them – make you beautifully human. Never doubt your wholeness or belonging. Take pride in how far you’ve come.

The future awaits with possibilities. Keep showing up with honesty and hope.

You and your dreams deserve to thrive vibrantly. This life is yours.