Signs & Symptoms of PTSD

Every year nearly 8 million people are diagnosed with some form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is believed that more than 50% of all men and women will experience signs and symptoms of PTSD at least once at some point in their lives, with women being more often affected than men.

They can range from Veterans & First Responders to victims of domestic abuse and children.

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a condition which occurs in response to experience of severe or traumatic life events. A include a person’s sense of reality gets disturbed, and their perception of the world changes in response to these traumatic events. Feelings of fear, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, helplessness, and shock are all commonly reported.

Life events, such as combat, violence, sexual abuse, accidents, natural disasters, and death of a loved one can all trigger Post Traumatic Stress, yet not everyone who experiences a traumatic event goes on to experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Some people who experience a traumatic event have a short period of distress and then moves on with their life. Some even experience a new or deepening of what they feel is their life purpose through the trauma.

For others, instead of feeling better over time, anxiety, anger, depression, and/or disconnection (numbness) can develop and deepen for those experiencing Post Traumatic Stress.

What to do if you have PTSD

If you find yourself having trouble focusing, feeling depressed or anxious, or crying frequently long after experiencing a traumatic event, you may want to see your doctor. Anyone having thoughts of harming themselves or others should immediately seek professional help.

If you believe you’re experiencing PTSD, it’s important to ask for help from friends, family, and professionals who can offer guidance, and non-judgmental support. Being able to confide in someone or sharing your experience with others who have had similar experiences can be helpful. Letting friends and family know about potential triggers can be helpful as well.

As for family and friends of someone who may be experiencing PTSD, know that it is not a sign of weakness, nor are they being overly dramatic. They need help and support, and a visit to their primary care practitioner for examination.

Relationships can suffer tremendously due to the unpredictability involved in your loved one’s responses to stimuli. Where there used to be openness and communication there may now be withdrawal. Where there was trust and a steady temperament, there can now be volatility and fear. Stress may be running very high, and feelings of walking on eggshells a daily routine.

Symptoms of PTSD

Other symptoms in adults experiencing PTSD can include headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, frequent colds or flu, changes in behavior, frequent use of alcohol or drugs, difficulties at work, or exhibiting fits of rage, any or all of which can be debilitating.

Children may wet their beds at night, act out a traumatic event during playtime, become clingy, withdraw from friends, experience regular nightmares, exhibit belligerent or aggressive behavior.

Those who have had traumatic experiences in the past, as well as those without a sufficient support system around them are reported as being more prone to having PTSD.

Recovering from PTSD

There is help and hope for recovery. Psychotherapy, counseling, medication, meditation, breathing exercises, yoga and CranioSacral Therapy have all been found to be helpful in recovery from PTSD.

As with all therapies and protocols, each person responds differently with the use of CranioSacral Therapy. Health status, chronic disease, medications, previous illnesses, and previous injuries are all factors in outcomes. Please call for a complimentary consultation to discuss your particulars and goals.

Hi, I’m Sandy Schell, CST. I am a Certified CranioSacral Therapist with more than 20 years experience. I’ve worked with a wide variety of health conditions and am an Advanced Level Therapist. My primary focus is CranioSacral Therapy, although I will also combine other modalities as necessary into a session, such as Myofascial Release, Reiki, Grid Balancing, Vagus Nerve Balancing.

CranioSacral Therapy St Petersburg FL has a long, proven track record of being able to restore health and vitality by focusing on the core elements that “run” the body – the nervous system, it’s fluids, rhythms, and fascia (connective tissue).

CranioSacral Therapy is based in Osteopathic Medicine, and dates back to the early 1900’s. It’s safe, effective, and results-oriented.

The proper functioning of your nervous system is vitally important to your health and well-being. Your nervous system is based in communication, which happens through the cells, the energetic impulses, the fluids, and the connective tissues of the body. Having clear, strong, healthy communication, energy, and fluid movement is what underlies a health body. By focusing on the nervous system, a properly trained, experienced CranioSacral Therapist can release stress patterns at the causative level, resulting in symptoms disappearing once balance and communication throughout the body are restored.

Musculoskeletal tightness, neurological imbalances, autoimmune disease, many types of pain, and organ dysfunction are some of the many categories of health conditions that typically respond well with CranioSacral Therapy.

Call For A Complimentary Consultation

We’ll discuss your health challenges and goals, and answer any questions you may have.

Click Here

Last Updated on 08/09/2024 by Sandy Schell

About The Author

Sandy Schell

Advanced Level CranioSacral Therapist with 20+ years clinical experience and over 500 hours of specialized training through the Upledger Institute.

Licensed Massage Therapist in Florida (MA34799), specializing in chronic conditions that haven’t responded to conventional treatment – including migraines, TMJ, concussions, vertigo, chronic pain, and neurological conditions.

Combining Advanced CranioSacral Therapy with SomatoEmotional Release, Myofascial Release, and Reiki for comprehensive, whole-body healing.

Serving St Petersburg since 2001.

See author's posts

PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder