Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a person's negative reaction to a traumatic event. This disorder affects war veterans, natural disaster victims and victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. General symptoms of PTSD include emotional detachment, flashbacks and jumpiness.

Emotional Detachment

• Signs of emotional detachment include avoiding activities and places associated with the devastating event. The individual may not be able to cope with raising children and being a loving family member. Emotional detachment causes the inability to function emotionally every day.

Flashbacks

• Flashbacks can occur while the individual is asleep or awake and involve horrible images from the traumatic event. These images can replay several times a day. Sounds such as police sirens or a car backfiring can trigger wartime flashbacks.

Jumpiness

• People with post-traumatic stress disorder show hyperactive startle reflex. This is an overreaction to sudden noises. Symptoms may include difficulty concentrating and difficulty falling asleep.

PSTD in Children

• PSTD can affect a child's development. According to eMedical Help, 36 percent of children who experience traumatic events will develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms of PSTD in children include nightmares, difficulty identifying feelings, generalized fear and helplessness.

Treatment

• Treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder include grief counseling. Cognitive psychotherapy assists the affected person to talk through the event and to deal with traumatic thoughts and emotions. Sertaline and Paroxetine are commonly prescribed for treatment of PSTD. They are similar to antidepressants and aid in overcoming symptoms of depression and anxiety.