What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? PTSD is a normal emotional and psychological response to intense, threatening, disturbing, dangerous and catastrophic events. People experience PTSD most often during, or soon after such events. The experience may go on for several months. Most people seem to recover during this time. This is particularly so, if the person is in a supportive and caring environment. At such times, seeking treatment can be very helpful. The symptoms of PTSD may not occur until some considerable time after the traumatic events have occured. Some people may have no discernable symptoms for many years and then have some triggering event that sets off the symptoms. Some others may have some symptoms that are manageable, and those people learn to adapt and live with them. The symptoms of PTSD can be quite variable in intensity and variety over a period of time. However, in general, if left untreated PTSD can become more intense and problematic over time.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

The Information booklet for The Commonwealth Department of Veteran’s Affairs lists the following symptoms under three headings (see www.dva.gov.au/health/counsell/ptsd/symptoms.html) :

1 Intrusive Symptoms

These are symptoms that intrude on your consciousness while awake and affect you while you sleep.
• Distressing memories or images of the trauma
• Nightmares
• Becoming upset when reminded of events
• Physical symptoms - sweating, heart racing, panics etc.

2 Avoidance Symptoms

Because PTSD brings up such disturbing feelings, it is natural to try and avoid anything associated with the trauma and associated distress. People with PTSD may try to avoid reminders of the trauma by trying not to think, talk or be involved with anything that could remind them of the past events. Avoidant behaviour tends to amplify any anxiety.
• Avoiding any reminders of events
• Gaps in memory
• Losing interest in otherwise normal activities
• Feeling cut-off or detached from loved ones
• Feeling flat or numb
• Difficulty imagining a future

3 Arousal Symptoms

Trauma is such an intense experience and this intensity often continues in the experience of PTSD. Thee symptoms listed below create intensity in victims and impact on the person’s ability to enjoy life, to function, to relax and to have to have fun.
• Sleep disturbance
• Anger and irritability
• Poor concentration
• Hyper vigilance – excessively focussing on issues, irritants or concerns
• Jumpy and nervous

When people suffer the legacy of PTSD, it may affect them for the rest of their lives. These symptoms often affect every aspect of life, work and family and can have far reaching affects for the sufferer and his, or her family.

Fergus has extensive training and experience in working with people with PTSD and is a contract counsellor for the Vietnam Veteran’s Counselling Service.