Symptoms of PTSD are generally of three types:
Intrusive
Dissociative states
Flashbacks
Intrusive emotions and memories
Nightmares and night terrors
Avoidant
- Avoiding emotions
- Avoiding relationships
- Avoiding responsibility for others
- Avoiding situations that are reminiscent of the traumatic event
- Hyperarousal
- Exaggerated startle reaction
- Explosive outbursts
- Extreme vigilance
- Irritability
- Panic symptoms
- Sleep disturbance
Intrusive memories and emotions interfere with normal thought processes and social interaction. Flashbacks feature auditory and visual hallucinations. For example, the sounds and images of combat often comprise the content of flashbacks experienced by military veterans. Flashbacks can be triggered by ordinary stimuli such as a low-flying airplane or a loud noise, anything that brings to mind an aspect of the event. Nightmares and night terrors also feature aspects of the traumatic event.
Dissociative symptoms include psychic numbing, depersonalization, and amnesia.
People with PTSD commonly avoid stimuli and situations that remind them of the traumatic event because they trigger symptoms.
People experiencing hyperarousal symptoms are always on the alert for danger or threat and are easily startled.
Complications
Complications develop in people with chronic PTSD and delayed onset PTSD. These include the following:
- Alcohol and drug abuse or dependence
- Chronic anxiety
- Depression and increased risk for suicide
- Divorce and separation
- Guilt
- Low self-esteem
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Unemployment
Compounding Factors of Reintegration
- Friends, Family, Society – Non-combat Experience
- Political Climate on War
- Economic and Job Considerations
- Family Changes – Spousal Roles, Parenting, Children
- Values Systems – Shattered
- Combat High/Adrenalin Rush/Power/Responsibilities
- Guilt – Why alive, Comrades still in theatre
- Grief/Loss
- No Fanfare Return
- Little to No Transition Time
- Sensory Overload – sight, sound, smell, sleep & food deprivation
- Disabilities (and unseen scars)
- Hyper-vigilance, nightmares, depression, anxiety, isolation
- Combat Experience/Traumatic Events
United States War Veteran's PTSD Foundation,Inc.
PTSD - THE UNSEEN WOUND
Symptoms
The United States War Veterans PTSD Foundation is a 501(c3) Non-profit corporation and all donations are tax deductable
UNITED STATES WAR VETERAN'S PTSD FOUNDATION
8475 E McDonald Drive Mailing Address;
Scottsdale,Az,85250 5791 W. Kesler
Office(480) 922-4950 Chandler, Arizona 85226
Duane C. Knutson, Executive Director
David L. Arnold,Vice President
The Stress of War takes it's toll
...and you don't have to go through it alone.
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