PTSD

Many people with PTSD tend to re-experience the ordeal that set the disease in motion, especially when they are exposed to events or objects reminiscent of the trauma. Anniversaries of the event can also trigger symptoms. People with PTSD also experience emotional numbness, sleep disturbances, anxiety, intense guilt, depression, irritability, or outbursts of anger. Most people with PTSD try to avoid any reminders or thoughts of the ordeal. PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms last more than one month.

Symptoms associated with reliving the traumatic event:

-Having bad dreams about the event or something similar
-Behaving or feeling as if the event were actually happening all over again (known as flashbacks)
-Having a lot of emotional feelings when reminded of the event
-Having a lot of physical sensations when reminded of the event (heart pounds or misses a beat, sweating, difficulty breathing, feeling faint, feeling a loss of control)

Symptoms related to avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event:

-Avoiding thoughts, conversations, or feelings about the event
-Avoiding people, activities, or places associated with the event
-Having difficulty remembering an important part of the original trauma Changes frequently made after the event:
-Loss of interest in things previously considered important
-Feeling detached from people
-Feeling emotionally numb and finds it hard to have loving feelings even toward those who are close
-Difficulty falling or staying asleep
-Irritability and anger
-Difficulty concentrating
-Feeling that one is not going to live long and there is no reason to plan for the future
-Feeling easily startled
-Always on guard

PTSD counseling helps with the following medical or emotional issues:

-Stomach problems
-Intestinal problems
-Gynecological problems
-Weight gain or loss
-Chronic pain (back, neck, pelvic area in women)
-Problems getting to sleep
-Problems staying asleep
-Headaches
-Skin rashes and other problems
-Irritability, quick temper, other anger problems
-Nightmares
-Depression
-Lack of energy, chronic fatigue
-Alcoholism and other substance use problems
-General anxiety
-Panic attacks