How to Identify Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious psychological condition that occurs after a traumatizing event or experience. The symptoms of PTSD are frightening to the victim and to those who witness a PTSD event. It is crucial to be able to identify symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder so a PTSD victim can seek professional help. Once known as "shell shock," PTSD can occur after any type of severely disorienting event, including (but not isolated to) war experiences.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine if a person has experienced a single or prolonged traumatic event in recent months. Events such as wartime experiences, rape and the Sept/ 11 attacks are examples of traumatizing experiences that have been known to cause PTSD. Symptoms of PTSD usually arise within a few months of an event. However, people have experienced initial symptoms years later. It is also possible that a person may not be aware of an event if he experienced the trauma as an infant or young child. In this case, you might begin by identifying the symptoms and then seeking help to uncover the cause(s).

• 2

  Understand PTSD symptoms. The ways in which they appear vary from person to person. Regardless of the pattern of the symptoms, there are identifiable signs that a person is experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A primary and frightening PTSD symptom is flashbacks. A flashback can be ignited by a loud and unexpected sound, such as a slammed door or a loud bang or crash. This acts as a psychological catapult to the victim, who re-experiences the original trauma in vivid detail. This naturally causes the sufferer immense distress. If a person appears to be having a flashback, he needs immediate professional help.

• 3

  Educate yourself about other PTSD symptoms. Heightened startle response, sleep disorders or anger issues are typical manifestations.

• 4

  Know when to seek medical attention. If disturbances impede a sufferer's ability to function, or if she continues to experience symptoms for a prolonged period of time, have her speak to a primary-care provider.