Experiencing traumatic events causes many people to have difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they often get better. Sometimes, however, the symptoms get worse, and can last for months or even years. If you have gone through a traumatic event, and feel like the memories from the event are impacting your day-to-day functioning, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
PTSD is a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event, either experiencing the event first-hand or by witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Getting effective treatment after PTSD symptoms develop can be critical to reduce symptoms and improve function.
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms can cause significant problems in your relationships and also interfere with your social life, work situations, or how you go about your normal daily tasks.
Symptoms can vary over time or vary from person to person. In addition, you may have more PTSD symptoms when you're stressed or when you come across reminders of what you went through.
If you have disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a month, if they're severe, or if you feel you're having trouble getting your life back under control, you should talk to a mental health professional. Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse. Feel free to make an appointment at our East Lansing office to begin to address your PTSD concerns