Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Help to Stop Reliving aMoment in Time

By: Heidi L. Fretheim, BA, MACC

We are living in a time where school shootings, mass shootings,

gun violence, war, natural disasters, sudden deaths, and violent crimes

are not just things we read about in the newspaper, but instead we

have experienced. Enduring any of these traumatic experiences can

have a lasting effect on an individual and those that love that individual.

Days, weeks, months, or years can be filled with symptoms that can

vary from mild to severe and cause disruptions in the individual’s life.

Psychiatry.org defines “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a

psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or

person witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious

accident, a terrorist attack, war/combat, or rape who have been

threatened with death, sexual violence, or serious injury”. Symptoms

of PTSD can develop within a month of experiencing a traumatic event,

however in some individuals it may not develop until a year or more

after the event took place. PTSD symptoms can cause issues in several

areas from health, relationships, problems on job, issues maintaining

employment, and a lack of fulfillment in enjoying daily activities.

Individuals struggling with PTSD can feel like they are stuck

reliving the event over and over as flashbacks and nightmares become

part of their daily living. Intrusive thoughts about impending doom or

fear replace the sense of safety that once was there. Isolating or

avoiding any remembrance of the trauma can lead to increased levels

of anxiety and depression. A person feels numb and detached from

people and things that used to bring so much joy. A heightened sense

of alertness or awareness puts strain and stress on a person’s health.

An individual experiences changes in sleeping patterns, mood, become

easily startled, increased engagement in risky behaviors, and stuck

reliving a traumatic moment in time.

Around 50% of all adults will face a traumatic event at least once

in their lives. Common reactions to a traumatic event are anger,

depression, anxiety, avoidance, grief, and increased fears. Memories of

the past trauma can come to mind for several days or weeks. The fact

that a traumatic event has taken place does not mean that a person will

develop PTSD. However, the fact remains that the sooner the person

seeks treatment after the trauma can greatly reduce the effects that

trauma will have on that person’s life. Help to Move Forward:

Northwest Behavioral Health Services

2392 N. Edgewood Avenue

Jacksonville, Florida 32254

904-781-7797