This June, the team at Maryvale joins the care community in observing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. While it is often talked about, PTSD is deeply misunderstood and is a widespread psychological phenomenon that deserves attention. We are committed to helping our community understand the risk factors of PTSD, clarify common misunderstandings, alleviate stigmas, and empower friends and family of those who suffer, to act as effective allies.
Understanding PTSD
Because of the nature of trauma, the mind, and the world we live in, anyone can experience PTSD. The disorder can occur in people of all ages, including children. PTSD affects about one in every eleven Americans at some point in their lives. Women, Latinos, African Americans, and indigenous people are at an increased risk for PTSD than other people.
All of this is to say – PTSD is a pervasive issue that all too often goes unnoticed, untreated, or is worsened through ongoing negative life experiences. A PTSD diagnosis must be linked to a traumatic life event. In some cases, a person’s experience of trauma is first-hand, and in others, it is indirect. For instance, witnessing a violent action or death can certainly cause PTSD; so, too, can hearing an account of the violent death, especially if a loved one is killed.
There are a few core symptoms psychologists and psychiatrists look for in diagnosing a person with PTSD. Here’s how you can spot the signs:
- Powerful flashbacks. Suppose a person has a flashback, nightmare, or drifts off into a cognitive state that somehow removes them from the present moment and triggers distress. In that case, they likely have PTSD.
- Playing it cool. PTSD can be confusing to spot because a suffering person will avoid disclosing their feelings in many cases. This is particularly notable for teenagers or those with a tough exterior who would prefer not to appear vulnerable. Not only do people with PTSD avoid talking about their trauma – they resist thinking about it at all.
- Mood swings. If a person’s outward personality takes a radical turn toward a sullen, withdrawn state, they may be suffering from PTSD. It is not unusual to find that a once-happy person seems blank, removed, or unable to engage in easygoing activities fully.
- Erratic behavior. Reactive, angry behavior is by far the most commonly portrayed symptom of PTSD in movies and pop culture. Keep in mind that in legitimate cases, people are less likely to act out in a group setting or with a partner. They are more likely to behave destructively or show signs of paranoia when they are alone. That said, keep watch for a tendency to be startled or tense if you suspect that someone you know has PTSD.
- Unpredictable energy. People suffering from PTSD often experience insomnia. Prolonged sleeplessness means they might be groggy, irritable, have difficulty concentrating, or might fall asleep at a strange time.
- Memory Loss. This one goes hand in hand with avoidance. If a person does not want to remember troubling things, there is a chance they’ll lose touch with details of the event – and may seem forgetful or disengaged in general.
- Regressing. For kids with PTSD, symptoms reveal themselves in extremes. A child might show a tendency to be either super clingy or resistant to affection from parents and siblings. They might act out the frightening event during playtime or draw pictures that depict details from a traumatic moment. Bedwetting, sleeplessness, and nightmares can all show up in young children with PTSD.
Common Misunderstandings About PTSD
Too often, people assume that PTSD is a problem for military veterans and no one else. Have no doubt – the veteran population has significant experience coping with PTSD. The Department of Veterans Affairs is one of the leading voices when it comes to raising awareness around PTSD.
However, exposure to traumatic events that have a profound cognitive impact is something that can happen to absolutely anyone, no matter their age, ethnicity, upbringing, or occupation. It goes without saying that actively serving military personnel are at high risk for witnessing traumatic events. Many people living with PTSD are survivors of sexual assault, life-changing accidents, natural disasters, and more.
When it comes to kids and young people, witnessing violence in the neighborhood or the home is sure to lead to PTSD. Abusive situations that prolong a young person’s exposure to trauma can cause deep, complex instances of PTSD.
How To Help Someone with PTSD
Do you want to be an ally to those who have PTSD? If you are aware of a traumatic event that is likely to cause psychological damage to a loved one, help him or her find a treatment path that makes sense. If a traumatic experience happened in secret, intervention starts by observing changes in a person’s ability to make decisions and care for themselves. If you notice an abrupt shift in a loved one’s energy, willingness to have fun, sense of accomplishment, or desire to be around other people, try talking to them. Be patient and work slowly so that they can express the cause of their difficulty.
Being an ally also means helping to re-integrate someone with PTSD back into the life they know and love. Take them on walks, errands, and positive activities. Make time to talk, listen, and support their emotional journey – also show your optimism by inviting them on uplifting outings. As much as possible, stay positive – avoid complaining or showing annoyance. Be vocal about how much you love and support them. Sharing your time, enthusiasm, and outpourings of positivity can greatly affect a victim’s outlook and desire to heal.
The Promise of PTSD Treatment
This PTSD Awareness Month, the Maryvale community stands with PTSD survivors. We recognize that a destabilizing life can cause a person to feel scared, isolated, and unsafe. If you think you or someone you know has PTSD, we encourage you to seek support. The team at Maryvale can provide support to people through a variety of mental health offerings. We take each case seriously and work closely with the individual who is suffering and their family to understand the best path forward.
There is no one-size-fits-all cure for PTSD. Each person’s symptoms and experience are unique depending on the timing and the intensity of the traumatic event. That said, therapy, medications, support groups, trauma-informed methods, and a lasting care plan can restore a person. Many people will be diagnosed with PTSD at some point in their lives – but there is hope for recovery. Learn more about Maryvale’s community-based approach to mental health services.
