June 6th, 2024 -- Although often associated with combat veterans, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that some people develop after seeing or living through an event that caused or threatened serious harm or death. Traumatic events such as accidents, sexual or physical violence, natural disasters, etc., can have lasting effects on a person's mental health and can impact any person of any age. After experiencing a traumatic event, it's common to find daily activities challenging. Work, school, and socializing may feel difficult initially, but most people begin to feel better after a few weeks. In some cases, symptoms of PTSD may appear later or come and go over time. If distressing thoughts and feelings persist for over a month and affect daily life, it's important to seek help from a mental health professional for further assessment.
Symptoms manifest differently for everyone, typically categorized into four main types. Adults with PTSD may experience reliving the traumatic event through nightmares, flashbacks, or triggers such as news reports or certain smells. They may also avoid situations or people that remind them of the event and have more negative thoughts and feelings than before. Additionally, they may feel ‘on edge’, have trouble sleeping and concentrating, and engage in unhealthy behaviors such as substance abuse or aggressive driving.
As children grow older, their symptoms of trauma become more similar to those experienced by adults. However, in children under 12 years old, signs of trauma may include becoming upset when they are separated from their parents, experiencing difficulty sleeping or bedwetting, and expressing the trauma through play, drawings, or stories. They may also have nightmares, exhibit increased irritability or aggression, avoid school, or struggle with schoolwork and making friends.
Dealing with traumatic events can be difficult, but it's important to acknowledge your feelings and seek support from a professional. Remember, it's never too late to get help. Reach out to a mental health professional and actively engage in creating a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Submitted by,
Dr. Cherrilyn Warde-Crawford Psyd, CCTP-II
Clinical Psychologist
Revamp Psychological Solutions
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