Post-traumatic stress disorder is a common mental illness. It’s so common that researchers believe that it affects one in every three people who experience traumatic events.
Because it’s such a common mental illness and disorder, you may even know some family members, friends, coworkers, or neighbors who have it. There’s a good chance that you have heard of it before and may even be aware of some of the common signs and symptoms.
Lately, you’ve been wondering what it looks like exactly. You may even be interested in finding out if you or a loved one is struggling with PTSD without realizing it. You don’t want to ignore the signs that are so clearly in front of you anymore. Let’s learn more about undiagnosed PTSD and how it can present itself.
Memory Issues
The body and brain go into defense mode to protect itself from any perceived threat such as trauma. This defense mode is known as the fight, flight, fawn, or freeze response. After the trauma occurs, the body and brain may become stuck in that response type. This can cause the body and brain to have a difficult time returning to a state of normal functioning. Since the body and brain change and adapt to protect themselves, issues can occur like memory loss.
Depression
Depression is a common sign and symptom among individuals who have PTSD. After experiencing a traumatic event, it can be difficult to process the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that occurred. Some people may actually push them aside as a way to not deal with them in the moment. This can actually lead to worsening signs and symptoms like depression. When depression creeps in, it can cause changes in someone’s daily life and routine like their eating habits, sleep cycle, and social interactions.
Flashbacks or Panic Attacks
Flashbacks and panic attacks are other common signs and symptoms that can occur as a result of PTSD. A flashback can make someone feel like they’re reliving their trauma. It can feel like their trauma is happening in the present moment instead of the past.
The intense fear that someone feels is associated with a panic attack. Panic attacks usually come without any sort of warning as a response to a trauma. They can cause someone to feel like they have no control over themselves or their life.
Sleeping Problems
Memories of trauma can also occur in nightmares that can replay the traumatic events from the past. Individuals who experience nightmares often have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night due to a fear of going to sleep and reliving their trauma.
This can lead to changes in someone’s sleeping schedule and routine. Some individuals may feel like they have to deprive themselves of sleep to not relive those memories.
Not getting enough sleep means that your body and brain aren’t getting the proper amount of rest and recovery to function to the best of their ability. This can disrupt things like one’s overall mood, performance, concentration, productivity, and relationships.
Anger Issues
During a traumatic event, a person’s nervous system goes into high alert and sometimes gets somewhat stuck in that state. People with highly active nervous systems can be easily startled, and can react to situations with anger. Anger responses are meant to protect us when we’re under attack, but when someone has PTSD they can become a common response to minor stressors.
Getting Help for Undiagnosed PTSD
If you suspect that you or a loved one is struggling with some of the signs and symptoms listed above, one of the best things you can do for yourself or them is to reach out for additional support.
PTSD doesn’t define you. Working with a qualified trauma therapist can help anyone struggling with PTSD get to the root cause of their PTSD so that they can work towards overcoming it. Don’t delay in getting the help you need and deserve. Reach out today to set up a consultation.