5 Ways PTSD Affects A Person’s Life
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition which sometimes develops after someone experiences a traumatic event. It is often associated with violent or dangerous events such as physical or sexual abuse, combat, natural disasters and horrific accidents. People can also develop PTSD after less personally violent yet still traumatic situations, like losing someone you care about or watching them suffer harm.
The effects of PTSD can be debilitating. Intrusive thoughts and recollections of the trauma and being on edge combine, producing difficulty concentrating, intense negative emotions, and complications interacting with others.
PTSD can have a negative impact on your mental health, physical health, work, and relationships. Here is a list of 5 Ways PTSD may affect your life—
- Problems at Work
People with PTSD miss more days at work and work less efficiently. Certain symptoms of PTSD, such as difficulties concentrating and problems sleeping, may make it hard for you to pay attention at work, stay organized, or make it to work on time. Likewise, people with PTSD often have problems at school and are less likely to make it through high school or college.
People with PTSD also have higher rates of unemployment than people without PTSD.
- Problems with Relationships
People with PTSD are more likely to have problems in their marriages than people without PTSD. Partners of people with the condition may be faced with a number of stressors that go along with caring for and living with someone with a chronic disease. The sources of stress include financial challenges, managing the person’s symptoms, dealing with crises, loss of friends, or loss of intimacy. These can have a major negative impact on a relationship.
Social isolation is common with PTSD. You feel different from other people and can have problems communicating with and interacting with others. You can find it difficult to trust other people. It is hard to create or maintain relationships
- Mental Health Problems
If you have PTSD you are at much greater risk of developing a number of other mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders, depression, and eating disorders.
Research has found that people suffering with PTSD are about six times as likely as someone without PTSD to develop depression and about five times as likely to develop another anxiety disorder.
In addition to these mental health problems, people with PTSD are also six times as likely as someone without PTSD to attempt suicide. High rates of deliberate self-harm have also been found among people with PTSD.
- Substance Use Problems
Studies show PTSD sufferers are at greater risk of developing substance use disorders in an attempt to calm their anxiety, which only exacerbates the problem.
Having PTSD also appears to raise risks for other unhealthy behaviors (for example, smoking, lack of exercise, and increased alcohol use) which may further increase the possibility of physical health problems.
- Physical Health Problems
In addition to mental health problems and addiction, having PTSD seems to raise the risk of physical health problems, including pain, diabetes, obesity, heart problems, respiratory problems, and even sexual dysfunction.
PTSD is complicated, with dangerous physical and psychological consequences if not treated properly. Get help.
A good assessment and an accurate diagnosis is your first step in treating PTSD. Getting the right specialist to implement the best-fitting treatment for your particular situation and symptoms is key.
At Honey Lake Clinic, our experienced staff, licensed therapists, psychologists, and psychiatric specialists understand that effective treatment for PTSD requires a multifaceted approach, involving healing of the mind, body, and spirit.
Let us offer hope and provide answers for you.
