How to recognize PTSD?

Psychological trauma is such an event that is perceived by our psyche as a violation of security, the opportunity to live. It is perceived by the body so terribly that it causes great fear and stress for a long time.

PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a serious mental condition that can occur after experiencing severe traumatic events.

Professional help can be provided by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional. But you can recognize PTSD by symptoms even on your own.

Important! If symptoms persist for 2 weeks or more, seek professional help.

Read the symptoms and advice for first aid in the article edited together with the psychology of Volnyja initiative.

‍

To recognize PTSD, observe behavior and note symptoms that persist for 2 weeks or more .

Attention! To diagnose PTSD and get help, you need to see a specialist.

‍

Symptoms of PTSD

1. Re-experiencing symptoms

• Memories, haunting thoughts.
• Dreams are disturbing dreams or nightmares associated with a traumatic experience.
• Flashbacks – feeling or acting as if the traumatic event is happening again.
• Feeling very stressed and physically agitated (eg, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate) in circumstances reminiscent of the event.

2. Symptoms of avoidance

• Dissociative amnesia is the inability to remember the details of a traumatic event.
• Withdrawal – feeling alienated or not feeling close to people with whom you were previously close.
• Avoiding conversations and thoughts, memories.

3. Mood symptoms in PTSD

• Persistent negative beliefs and thoughts about yourself and others.
• Blaming yourself or others for the traumatic event or its consequences.
• Persistent feelings of fear, terror, anger, guilt, or shame.
• Loss of interest in activities – refusal to participate in classes or loss of interest, inability to feel positive emotions.

4. Symptoms of alertness and reactivity

• Hypervigilance – excessive awareness of what is happening around you, inability to relax.
• Difficulty with cognitive functions – thinking and attention.
• Problems with sleep.
• Irritability.
• Outbursts of verbal or physical aggression.

‍

How to help when a person falls into an injury?

If you see signs of PTSD during the conversation, you can suggest doing the "Butterfly Hug" practice (2-5 minutes).

1. Find a comfortable position in space.
2. Take a few deep and slow breaths in and out.
3. Wrap your arms around yourself so that each hand touches the opposite shoulder.
4. Begin to slowly move your hands like the wings of a butterfly, tapping them alternately on your shoulders. Allow your arms to move freely.
5. Observe what is happening in your mind and body; without focusing or judging notice the thoughts, images, sounds, smells, feelings that come to you. You can imagine that what you are observing is like clouds floating by.
6. Stop when your body feels relaxed and full, drop your hands along your hips.
7. Take a deep breath and notice how your state has changed.

It is also useful to do the practice on your own when you feel yourself losing your stability.

‍

Be sensitive to yourself, your environment and support Volnyja on BySol and Patreon !

‍