{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T22:09:42+00:00","modifiedTime":"2023-04-27T18:28:14+00:00","timestamp":"2023-04-27T21:01:03+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34038"},"slug":"body-mind-spirit","categoryId":34038},{"name":"Emotional Health & Psychology","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34039"},"slug":"emotional-health-psychology","categoryId":34039},{"name":"Psychology","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34053"},"slug":"psychology","categoryId":34053},{"name":"Diagnoses","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34057"},"slug":"diagnoses","categoryId":34057},{"name":"PTSD","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34065"},"slug":"ptsd","categoryId":34065}],"title":"The Signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder","strippedTitle":"the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder","slug":"symptoms-that-may-signal-post-traumatic-stress-disorder","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"If you’re battling with the idea that you are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there are signs that you — and your medical professional — c","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"If you’re battling with the idea that you are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there are signs that you — and your medical professional — can look for. Here’s an overview of symptoms that may point to a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis.\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Intrusive thoughts, emotions, or images: </b>These may include vivid nightmares and/or flashbacks in which you feel as if the event is occurring all over again.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Avoidance and/or numbing:</b> For instance, you may avoid people or things that remind you of your trauma, feel emotionally detached from the people around you, or block out parts of your traumatic experience.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Hyperarousal:</b> Hyperarousal means being on red alert all the time, being jumpy or easily startled, having panic attacks, being very irritable, and/or being unable to sleep.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nYou may also experience symptoms including body aches and pains, depression or other mental disorders, or problems with drugs or alcohol. 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If you have any or all of these symptoms, seek medical help — because if you <i>do</i> have PTSD, there’s help and hope!","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10604,"name":"Mark Goulston","slug":"mark-goulston","description":" <p><b>Mark Goulston, MD,</b> an expert on PTSD, suicide prevention, and violence intervention, maintains a private clinical practice. He has taught or lectured at UCLA, USC, and Fortune 500 companies and has trained FBI and police hostage negotiators. 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The Signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

By: Mark Goulston and

Updated: 04-27-2023

From The Book: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder For Dummies

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder For Dummies

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If you’re battling with the idea that you are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there are signs that you — and your medical professional — can look for. Here’s an overview of symptoms that may point to a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis.

Intrusive thoughts, emotions, or images: These may include vivid nightmares and/or flashbacks in which you feel as if the event is occurring all over again.
Avoidance and/or numbing: For instance, you may avoid people or things that remind you of your trauma, feel emotionally detached from the people around you, or block out parts of your traumatic experience.
Hyperarousal: Hyperarousal means being on red alert all the time, being jumpy or easily startled, having panic attacks, being very irritable, and/or being unable to sleep.

You may also experience symptoms including body aches and pains, depression or other mental disorders, or problems with drugs or alcohol. If you have any or all of these symptoms, seek medical help — because if you do have PTSD, there’s help and hope!

About This Article

This article is from the book:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder For Dummies ,

About the book author:

Mark Goulston, MD, an expert on PTSD, suicide prevention, and violence intervention, maintains a private clinical practice. He has taught or lectured at UCLA, USC, and Fortune 500 companies and has trained FBI and police hostage negotiators.

This article can be found in the category:

PTSD ,