7 Symptoms of PTSD You May Be All Too Familiar With

If you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), these may seem painfully familiar to you. If you don’t have PTSD, these may help you understand those of us who do live with it.

• What is PTSD?

1. You may wake up tired every day — every day, even if you take a nap in the middle of the day.

2. The idea of sleep is always on your mind, but the thought of closing your eyes terrifies you, as you know the nightmares will come, shortly afterwards.

3. Depression and anxiety go with PTSD, like “peas and carrots” as Forrest Gump would say, and that is the real game changer which relates to not sleeping. It’s a cruel cycle.

4. Trust may feel like a thing of the past — be it a loved one, friend or family member or even yourself.

5. Going outside may scare you. New places may terrify you and crowds may make you panic. And people, well you just want to avoid them — friends, family and strangers alike. This as you can imagine can make everything from going to work, family events or having a relationship extra stressful.

6. Your heightened sense of awareness may be distraction — to yourself and the people you are with. When you choose a restaurant based on exits and proximity to them, it makes it tough on everyone around you. If you do finally get there or any destination, you are constantly looking over your shoulder and seem (because you are) distracted as you keep a watchful eye.

7. You may cancel long-standing plans at the last minute, because it’s too stressful and painful. The idea of going someplace new is even worse and the fear of a panic attack in public makes you panic.

Unsplash photo via Warren Wong