Symptoms, Signs, & Effects of Trauma & PTSD

A person can develop posttraumatic stress disorder after enduring trauma, such as a serious physical injury, childhood abuse, or the death of a loved one. However, a traumatic event doesn’t have to happen to someone directly for them to be negatively impacted by it. Causes of PTSD may also include witnessing a traumatic event or hearing about a traumatic experience that happened to a family member or close friend.  

Certain events can be causes of posttraumatic stress disorder, including: 

• Life-threatening illnesses 
• Serious injuries 
• Being kidnapped 
• Being held hostage 
• Exposure to war 
• Terrorist attacks 
• Sexual assault 
• Physical violence 
• Extreme natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes 
• House fires 
• Severe car or large-scale transportation accidents 

While posttraumatic stress disorder can affect people of all ages, ethnicities, and cultures, there are risk factors that may make a person more likely to develop PTSD. These risk factors include having a family history of mental illness, being female, and misusing drugs or alcohol. Having a front-line profession as a first responder, firefighter, police officer, healthcare worker, or military member can also increase a person’s chances of developing PTSD due to repeated exposure to trauma on the job. 

The signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder can vary from one person to another, and onset can occur at any time. For some, PTSD symptoms can begin immediately following a traumatic event, whereas for others, they may develop gradually over time.  

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms typically fall into four major categories: avoidance, reexperiencing, mood and cognition, and alertness.  

Avoidance symptoms:  

• Inability to express affection 
• Staying away from people, events, or situations that remind you of the traumatic event 
• Feeling like you have to remain busy 
• Engaging in self-destructive, reckless, or risky behaviors  
• Acts of violence, such as property destruction and physical altercations 
• Derealization or depersonalization 
• Misusing drugs or alcohol to avoid memories 
• Verbal aggression 

Reexperiencing symptoms:  

• Physical signs of stress, like sweating or nausea 
• Distressful or intrusive thoughts 
• Nightmares 
• Recurring memories or vivid flashbacks of the traumatic event 

Mood and cognition symptoms:  

• Self-blame 
• Social withdrawal 
• Difficulty feeling happiness or joy 
• Persistent feelings of fear, anger, or shame 
• Trouble recalling key elements of the traumatic event 
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed  

Alertness symptoms:  

• Being easily startled 
• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep 
• Feeling tense or on edge 
• Difficulty focusing on simple tasks 
• Engaging in aggressive behavior 
• Irritability 
• Being easily angered or upset 
• Hypervigilance  

It’s not uncommon for someone to struggle with the effects of trauma after experiencing a life-threatening or shocking event. But if symptoms last longer than a month and cause serious disruption in a person’s daily life, they may meet the criteria for PTSD. Please contact our team today if you are exhibiting any of the warning signs or symptoms of PTSD alongside addiction. Early intervention can help prevent the worsening of co-occurring PTSD symptoms and reduce the long-term negative effects of trauma.  

The National Center for PTSD reports the following PTSD statistics about the prevalence of the mental illness among the U.S. adult population: 

• Roughly 8 out of every 100 women and 4 out of every 100 men will have PTSD at some point in their lives. 
• In 2020, an estimated 13 million Americans suffered from PTSD. 

The following PTSD statistics are provided by the American Psychiatric Association:  

• An estimated 3.5% of U.S. adults struggle with PTSD each year. 
• Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD.  
• PTSD affects U.S. African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans at higher rates than white and non-Latino Americans. 
• For adolescents ages 13-18, the lifetime prevalence of PTSD is 8%.  
• Approximately 1 in 11 people will develop PTSD in their lifetime.

The longer a person waits to seek professional intervention for PTSD, the more harm the mental health disorder can cause. Untreated PTSD can lead to numerous negative short- and long-term effects, so seeking care early is essential.  

Potential effects of trauma and PTSD include: 

• Difficulty maintaining employment 
• Social withdrawal 
• Strained relationships with loved ones 
• Impaired memory 
• Violent behavior 
• Low self-esteem or negative self-image 
• Suicidal ideation 
• Suicide attempts 

It’s not uncommon for a person who suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder to also struggle with addiction. In certain instances, PTSD may cause someone to turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with stressors, which can lead to a substance use disorder. However, with prompt care, you can begin to process traumatic experiences, reduce your risk for negative consequences of co-occurring PTSD, and drastically improve your overall functioning.  

At Sabal Palms Recovery Center, we provide comprehensive services that can help our clients learn to effectively cope with symptoms that are hindering their ability to thrive in their daily lives. Don’t let symptoms of co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder interfere with your happiness any longer. Our team is ready to help you heal from the effects of PTSD and live the productive life you deserve. 

The Sabal Palms Recovery Center team strives to help each person in our care avoid relapse by teaching them valuable skills for coping with triggers of PTSD and helping them establish a strong network of support. Because our highly skilled staff has extensive experience working with clients who have co-occurring PTSD, we can provide focused care to help you overcome obstacles and make sustained progress toward healing.  

We understand that each person’s healing journey is different and that, sometimes, people experience setbacks. Please know that if you once again begin to have symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, this does not mean that you have somehow failed. In fact, by seeking help, you are proving how resilient you are. We are dedicated to helping each of our clients better understand their PTSD diagnosis and providing them with support should their symptoms return. 

We also provide an individualized aftercare plan for each person so that they have the resources and support they need for their next phase of healing. We’ll work to empower you to advocate on your own behalf and reach out for help if you need it. 

Relapse symptoms of PTSD can be different for everyone. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of PTSD so that you can identify when you or a loved one is struggling. If you determine that you or someone you love can benefit from professional support, we encourage you to seek help immediately.

People who have anxiety disorders often experience intense feelings of worry, fear, and dread, significantly impairing their daily functioning and quality of life. In some cases, individuals who have anxiety disorders may also suffer from other underlying or co-occurring mental health conditions or addictions, which can complicate their diagnosis and plan of care.  

Having an addiction can also increase someone’s risk for having anxiety. In those cases, it is important that people receive treatment that addresses both concerns. 

It is crucial to seek help for any addiction and co-occurring mental health concern, and if you are struggling with symptoms of multiple concerns, it is important that you receive care from professionals who can address all your symptoms and ensure that you get the comprehensive support you need.  

At Sabal Palms Recovery Center, we offer residential care for adults who have addictions and co-occurring anxiety disorders. Our team of mental health professionals has extensive experience diagnosing and treating addictions and co-occurring disorders, including anxiety. We use various evidence-based and experiential therapies to help you identify struggles and learn how to manage symptoms.