What Does Undiagnosed PTSD Look Like?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health conditions in the United States. It can happen after experiencing a traumatic event or stressful situation. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can remain undiagnosed for years and often resurfaces long after the traumatic event. Although common in law enforcement officers, other first responders, and military personnel, the truth is that it can affect anyone. What does undiagnosed PTSD look like? Learn more about the symptoms and treatment options available to people with PTSD.
What Does Undiagnosed PTSD Look Like?
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that can occur after someone experiences or witnesses a life-threatening or traumatic event. The condition can affect anyone at any age. People may have experienced or witnessed any of these events often suffer from PTSD
- Combat exposure
- Sexual assault or trauma
- An accident
- Physical abuse
- A terror attack
Multiple traumatic events can trigger Complex PTSD (cPTSD), which is a more difficult condition to diagnose and treat.
Many people don’t notice the symptoms or simply try to live past the condition. However, this leaves the condition undiagnosed, resulting in symptoms that can interfere with the person’s daily life.
How Does PTSD Work?
People can develop PTSD after a traumatic event or sometimes it can happen years after the initial event, which can make some instances harder to diagnose. A person might not spot the symptoms in themselves, and may not be receptive to it when other people tell them.
Anything mentally stressful or traumatic can trigger aspects of the traumatic event. Seeing a person or object that is related to the situation can cause you to experience symptoms. Violent and traumatic events are more likely to do this.
Symptoms can surface years after the original event or occur shortly thereafter. Individuals suffering from PTSD might relive the traumatic event or rethink their bad experiences: that’s part of the condition, even though people might not realize it.
A person doesn’t always realize or recognize their symptoms. They might not even know that their attitude or feelings have changed.
What Causes PTSD?
A traumatic or stressful event causes PTSD and multiple traumatic events can trigger or worsen it. It can happen to anyone, and it’s not exclusive to high-stress jobs like the police force or war veterans.
What Are The Symptoms Of Undiagnosed PTSD?
Undiagnosed PTSD can interfere with sleep, concentration, and sometimes rational thoughts. Someone with undiagnosed PTSD might feel:
- Lethargic
- Depressed
- Anger and negative emotions
- Disinterested
- Anxious or irritable
- Sad
- Confused
Post-traumatic stress can also cause someone to lash out at others, or to seem irritable to everyone around them.
If you experience symptoms lasting more than a few months, it may be time to get help. According to the National Center for PTSD, trauma, PTSD, and suicide are related. Suicidal thoughts and risk are higher in trauma survivors.
A person experiencing symptoms and negative thoughts can benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy. Like depression, the condition can be treated with professional help.
Treatment Is Available
Once the individual recognizes the symptoms of PTSD, they can receive treatment. It’s always easier to treat a condition that you know exists!
The next step to PTSD treatment can include therapy sessions or intensive counseling with a qualified mental health counselor.
Medication can sometimes worsen post-traumatic stress disorder, and modern doctors take a careful approach before simply prescribing medication. If you want to know more about medications and PTSD, request a blood test to establish your chemical baseline, and then speak to your doctor about the options.
Can You Live A Normal Life With PTSD?
Yes! Just like depression and anxiety, you can live a normal life with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Finding the right counseling and coping mechanisms can help you get back to living a normal life. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, you have the right to seek immediate help.
Blue Sky Counseling – Mental Health Counseling Omaha, NE
I, Carly Spring, M.S., LIMHP, LADC, CPC, offer my specialized expertise to assist in the healing process to anyone who may be experiencing and suffering from a vast spectrum of mental health issues. Such mental health issues include behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, grief, loss, trauma, addiction issues, and life transitions. I believe strongly in applying a holistic perspective addressing your whole person not just the bits and pieces of you. Contact us with any questions or to talk with a mental health counselor in Omaha today.
