PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is sometimes the result of having experienced a frightening or dangerous event.
The course of PTSD varies. Some people recover within 6 months; others have symptoms that last much longer. For some, the condition becomes chronic.
Some symptoms of PTSD include:
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Flashbacks—reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating
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Bad dreams
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Frightening thoughts
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Being easily startled
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Feeling tense or “on edge”
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Having difficulty sleeping
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Having angry outbursts
These symptoms may cause problems in your everyday routine. You may feel alienated or detached from friends or family members.
Symptoms can start from your own thoughts and feelings. Alternatively, words, sounds, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event can also trigger symptoms. You may also find yourself avoiding certain places, events, objects or people who may remind you of the traumatic experience.
Everyone reacts to frightening, dangerous or extremely stressful situations differently. Symptoms may naturally linger for some time after a difficult event. When symptoms last many months or start to interfere with your ability to function, it is time to seek help.
Sonoma Life Solutions can help you safely face frightening memories so that you can learn to cope with them effectively. Your therapist can help you develop stress management skills to enable you to better handle stressful situations.
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You can gain control of lasting fear after a traumatic event.
