25/08/2016
Here are the other 15 facts about PTSD, taken from www.combatstress.org.uk
8. Many sufferers of PTSD feel emotionally numb which effects their communication with others.
9. Communication can also be difficult as it can lead to feeling irritable.
10. Avoidance can fuel a cycle where more attempts at filing a memory occur, leading to more nightmares, flashbacks and intrusive memories.
11. Ongoing nightmares and flashbacks in-turn lead to increased hyper-arousal, numbing and avoidance. And so the cycle continues.
12. In some people this cycle continues to become chronic but in many it settles down.
13. PTSD is therefore the persistence of 3 symptom clusters
- re-experiencing,
- hyper-arousal and emotional numbing,
- avoidance.
14. The more people use avoidance to cope the more likely they will become isolated and possibly depressed.
15. Some people also use alcohol or drugs to avoid unpleasant irritability and hyper-arousal.
16. Some use medications or drugs to overcome the emotional numbness.
17. Guilt is another symptom that is commonly associated with PTSD.
18. Guilt can be in 2 forms
- in relation to what happened during the initial traumatic experience.
- survivor guilt.
19. Some sufferers of PTSD have difficulty relating to authority figures as they may perceive “the system” has let them down.
20. Anger and hostility can be displayed by those suffering from PTSD.
21. The problems that people suffering from PTSD may stay hidden, with families trying to deal with issues at home.
22. Many Veterans would never admit they have a mental health problem to a medical practitioner, particularly if they have not served in the military.
