Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Sometimes a traumatic event is so severe and overwhelming that it can shatter a person’s life, and can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a severe response to trauma and begins by witnessing, experiencing or being threatened with serious danger, a danger so terrifying that it causes long-lasting fear, horror and helplessness.

At first symptoms may seem to be a part of a normal reaction to an overwhelming experience. After a trauma, most people are in a state of shock, feeling numb and dazed. When feelings of helplessness, horror and intense fear won’t go away and interfere with a person’s life, we call it PTSD.

Reexperiencing symptoms:
•	Sudden, very real memories of the traumatic event that interfere with daily activities
•	"Flashbacks" of the event that seem so real individuals feel as if they are experiencing the trauma again
•	Recurring nightmares about the traumatic event
•	Painful emotions, like uncontrollable crying, anger or fear, caused by reminders of the event
Avoidance symptoms:
•	Going out of the way to avoid objects, situations, places, people or thoughts that remind one of the event
•	Forgetting an important part of the trauma
•	Feeling distanced from family and friends
•	Having difficulty feeling emotions
•	No longer enjoying or participating in activities one had previously liked to do
•	Having no positive expectations for the future (for example, not expecting to get married, build a career or have a normal life span)
Hyperarousal symptoms:
•	Difficulty falling/staying asleep
•	Irritability and outbursts of anger
•	Difficulty concentrating
•	Being nervous and easily startled

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Mental Health Connections – Utica
1500 Genesee St., Utica NY 13502
Telephone: (315) 735-9501
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Email: mhc-utica@htcorp.net

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252 W. Dominick St., Rome, NY 13440
Telephone: (315) 337-0773
Fax: (315) 337-2158
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