Characteristic Symptoms of PTSD

As professionals gain more understanding of PTSD, it is easier to understand and recognize the warning signs for those veterans suffering with this disability. PTSD is diagnosed after a person experiences symptoms for at least one month following a traumatic event. However symptoms may not appear until several months or even years later. The disorder is characterized by three main types of symptoms:

Re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive distressing recollections of the event, flashbacks, and nightmares.
Emotional numbness and avoidance of places, people, and activities that are reminders of the trauma.
Increased arousal such as difficulty sleeping and concentrating, feeling jumpy, and being easily irritated and angered.

PTSD leads to a host of possible characteristics but here are a few such characteristics that can identified: Persistent avoidance of distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic events or of external reminders (i.e., people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations); inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic events (not due to head injury, alcohol, or drugs); persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world (e.g., “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted,” “The world is completely dangerous”); persistent, distorted blame of self or others about the cause or consequences of the traumatic events persistent fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities; feelings of detachment or estrangement from others; persistent inability to experience positive emotions. As a result of such characteristics veterans must seek appropriate treatment. Failure to get such treatment may result in a worsening of the conditions.

To get help with your PTSD claim contact the Vet Defender by clicking on the link and scheduling an appointment: Schedule an Appointment.