What Are The Effects Of PTSD?

Medically reviewed by April Justice, LICSW
Updated October 8, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team
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Some veterans of war, survivors of domestic abuse, and millions of others who have experienced traumatic events face challenges in their daily lives because of PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, a mental illness that can develop after experiencing or witnessing trauma. PTSD images and other memories can cause distressing and even debilitating symptoms months or years after trauma occurs. Below, we’ll cover some of the key symptoms and effects of PTSD as well as treatment options.

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Experiencing PTSD triggers?

Categorizing the effects or symptoms of PTSD

In order for a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis to be considered, an individual must have exhibited the following signs or effects for one month or longer:

  • At least one type of re-experiencing symptom
  • At least one type of avoidance symptom
  • At least two types of arousal and reactivity symptoms
  • At least two types of cognition and mood symptoms

Within these four categories or clusters, there are multiple possible symptoms that a person can display. With PTSD, they will typically be severe enough to represent a hindrance to the person’s well-being, such as limiting their ability to work or form relationships. Recognizing the symptoms that fit within these key groups can help you know when it may be time to seek help for PTSD.

Re-experiencing symptoms

Flashbacks and nightmares are key examples of re-experiencing symptoms in post-traumatic stress disorder. Flashbacks can be defined as the intrusive recollection of past traumatic events and the re-experiencing of them in the present. They are separate from one's normal consciousness and are involuntary and uncontrollable.

One of the core aspects of flashbacks in PTSD is the present-nature or "nowness" of the sensations. The thoughts, images, and memories from the past traumatic event can feel very realistic and as if they are actually happening at that moment. They can also be fragmented, as some individuals with PTSD might have some difficulty remembering everything about their trauma, which may make things more confusing. Flashbacks can be triggered by various stimuli. For example, certain words, sounds, and smells can cause traumatic events to resurface.

While many may have flashbacks while they are awake, there are others who primarily relive their past experiences through nightmares—or a person might experience both types of symptoms. Bad dreams about the trauma can occur over and over, causing distress and significantly reducing one's sleep quality. This can lead to other health problems and may exacerbate any other psychiatric conditions—which can make the nightmares more intense and more frequent in turn. 

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Avoidance symptoms

It’s common for people living with post-traumatic stress disorder to want to stay away from people or situations that may remind them of past trauma—a behavior pattern that represents avoidance symptoms. 

While this instinct makes sense, those who continue to avoid specific triggers may end up experiencing even greater fear of them. Staying away from certain objects or places might prevent flashbacks; however, it also reinforces the idea that they are dangerous and consequently amplifies the individual’s fear. By continuing to stay away from triggers, the person does not give themselves a chance to desensitize themselves to the stimuli, which strengthens the learned response. That’s why some forms of therapy for PTSD focus on safely exposing the person to their traumatic memories or fears.

Arousal and reactivity symptoms

Hyperarousal is another key category of PTSD symptoms that can be chronic and may severely limit a person's quality of life and ability to function. This set of symptoms can include things like:

  • Irritability
  • Recklessness
  • Hypervigilance
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Being easily startled

These effects of PTSD can create sleep disturbances for people and make it difficult to concentrate during waking hours, affecting their day-to-day activities. To others, the individual with post-traumatic stress disorder might seem constantly stressed out or appear angry.

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Experiencing PTSD triggers?

Cognition and mood symptoms

Cognition and mood symptoms are the fourth symptom category that people with PTSD typically experience. They might believe that no one else can be trusted and feel estranged from the ones that they care about. They may also find that they don’t enjoy the same activities that they used to and may avoid participating in them.

Regarding cognitive abilities, one of the primary areas that PTSD can affect is memory, which can cause individuals to have trouble fully recalling the distressing event(s). PTSD can also impair a person's sustained attention and learning abilities.

Cognition and mood effects of post-traumatic stress disorder can be persistent and may reflect a trauma survivor's emotional well-being. They might feel as if nothing can ever change and improve, creating perpetual unhappiness. However, treatment is available, and things can get better for those with PTSD.

Treatment for PTSD

Although it can be distressing and can seriously alter one's life in a negative way, there are various treatments that can address these effects of PTSD. According to the National Center for PTSD, psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is usually the first line of treatment for this condition

In some cases, per the National Center for PTSD website, medication may also be prescribed to help a person cope with symptoms as they pursue other treatment. Your healthcare provider may recommend healthy lifestyle changes like exercising regularly, eating nutrient-dense foods, meditating, and joining a support group as well.

Seeking in-person mental health treatment isn’t always an option for people with post-traumatic stress disorder, however. Some people may lack providers in their area, while others may find it difficult to leave the house because of their symptoms. In such situations, online therapy can be a more convenient alternative. 

Through a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist and meet with them remotely from anywhere you have an internet connection. Research suggests that, in many cases, talk therapy for PTSD that takes place online can be as effective as talk therapy that takes place in person.

Takeaway

PTSD is a complex condition. The effects of PTSD typically fall into four categories: re-experiencing, avoidance, arousal and reactivity, and mood and cognition symptoms. While these effects can have a significant negative impact on a person’s life, treatment is available. Talk therapy is usually the first recommended type of treatment for someone with PTSD, and it can often be engaged in online or in person.
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