What Happens if PTSD Goes Untreated?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition which can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a very stressful or traumatic event.
With PTSD, your thoughts or emotions are disrupted by recurring intrusive thoughts and recollections of the event to the degree it negatively impacts your everyday life.
Here is a list of 11 of the most common signs and/or symptoms of PTSD—
- Flashbacks, hearing, seeing, or physically feeling the events as if it is actually occurring again
- Nightmares, or flashbacks while asleep
- Recurring frightening images or thoughts of the experience, producing emotions similar to those felt around or during the event.
- Avoidance of places, events, or things which remind the person of the trauma
- Avoidance of thoughts or feelings connected with the trauma
- Detachment from life, decreased motivation, relational distance or isolation
- Nervousness, easily startled, tense feelings
- Irritability, easily agitated, angered, frustrated
- Restlessness, edgy, pacing, tapping, hard to sit still, muscle tension, tremor, twitching
- Memory, concentration or attention issues
- Negative self-defeating thoughts, distorted views of self, others, God; distorted feelings of guilt or self-blame
Are you or is someone you know suffering any combination of these symptoms after a traumatic experience or event? We can help.
The good news is that PTSD is treatable. The prognosis is good for those who do seek help. The earlier help is sought, the better the outcome.
The bad news is that PTSD is often a progressive disorder. Not only is it unlikely to go away on its own, but left untreated, the symptoms can become much worse with time. PTSD can become debilitating, interfering with your day-to-day life in a number of ways. Commonly, untreated PTSD sufferers go on to experience:
- Substance abuse in an attempt to calm their anxiety, which only exacerbates the problem.
- Anger management issues as recurring stress and anxiety result in outbursts of anger or rage. This may result in child or spousal abuse or public violence.
- Loneliness as PTSD can make a person very difficult to be around. Sufferers may end up isolated and alone.
- Severe depression is always a risk with PTSD. Sufferers may even demonstrate suicidal thoughts or actions while in the midst of a PTSD episode.
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.
