Traumatic events can have a profound impact on a person and affect them for the rest of their lives. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) is an issue many people live with—about 7 out of 100 people are diagnosed with the condition. However, many people may not know they have PTSD. Symptoms can be subtle, which is why it’s important to know how to identify them. The sooner your loved one receives PTSD counseling, the sooner they can begin the road to recovery.

Your Guide to PTSD Symptoms

What Is PTSD?

PTSD is a psychiatric condition that occurs when someone has witnessed a traumatic event. It’s common among military personnel who have seen battle, but it’s also present in rape or abuse victims, people who have suffered a violent assault, or those who sustained injuries from a serious accident. It has a significant impact on quality of life and may cause a person to withdraw or avoid experiences related to the incident, as they may trigger a flashback.

What Are the Symptoms?

PTSD is unique to every person, but there are some shared symptoms, including unwanted and distressing memories of the event, reliving the event through flashbacks, avoiding thinking or talking about the event, hopelessness or depression, and memory issues. Other symptoms include trouble maintaining or making new relationships, social withdrawal, abandoning favorite activities, being easily startled or frightened, developing insomnia, and experiencing irritability or mood swings.

Symptoms vary in severity and may be mild and infrequent or constant and severe. They may disappear for years and are often mistaken as side effects of other conditions, which is why a professional diagnosis is so important.

How Can PTSD Counseling Help?

PTSD counseling is an invaluable resource for many people. A therapist teaches skills to manage side effects, such as anxiety, and to maintain an optimistic outlook about recovery and the future. Cognitive, or talk therapy, helps individuals come to terms with the event, and exposure therapy focuses on helping the person face and overcome the event. During a consultation, a therapist will explore various options and create a personalized treatment plan.

If you or a loved one is living with PTSD, the professionals at White Spruce Counseling can help. They offer comprehensive PTSD counseling services to residents in Rochester, NY, as well as substance abuse counseling, anger management, and general mental health counseling. Visit their website to explore their programs and call (585) 424-2436 to schedule a consultation.