How to Know if Someone you Know
PTSD can happen to anyone who has experienced a trauma. Often times, there are not very obvious symptoms that someone has suffered a trauma, but if you know what to look for, you may be able to help someone get the help they need to process the event and move forward with a healthy mental state. You may know someone who went through a traumatic event and is moving on with life, but not the same as before the event of onset. While the symptoms will vary along with the degree to which each person experiences them, there are some key factors that are similar for sufferers of PTSD. Here are a few symptoms you may see in others.
- Nightmares or issues sleeping
- Flashbacks to the event
- Panic attacks
- Jumpiness
- Strong reactions that aren’t warranted
- Anger, irritability or aggression
- Moodiness
- Depression and lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities, emotional numbness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Distancing self from people and family
People with PTSD may not want help and getting them to seek treatment may have to be done gently and patiently. If you know someone with these symptoms, please contact us at the Metis Center for Psychological Services. We can help you know how to help them find the treatment they need to get back to living their lives without suffering. I, Dr. Sunda Friedman TeBockhorst, Ph.D., can also help you to know how to negotiate living with someone living with PTSD. Call us at 720-387-8458. Early treatment is better than waiting.
