by Jessica Brown of ContemporaryVA

There are many anxiety disorders that have been identified. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of those that can be caused by many experiences. Going through a traumatic event involving the threat of injury or death is a common trigger. Natural disasters such as fire or flood often throw people into a spiral of PTSD. Other traumas can include abuse, rape, terrorism, assault and direct war contact. Each person develops PTSD in a different way and on a different timeline and not all people experience PTSD after going through a traumatic event. Some may be more prone to experience PTSD if they have a history of trauma throughout their life.

Trauma may cause you to experience various symptoms. Those can include flashback episodes of the traumatic event; detaching yourself from others or falling into a depression; and feeling easily agitated or startled by every day occurrences. Physical indicators to watch out for may include headache, nausea or dizziness. Also, being unable to stop the mind chatter happening constantly in your head can also lead to feelings of anxiety and paranoia.

Some may wonder what the difference is between the normal responses to trauma and serious PTSD. Trauma causes the mind and body to go into shock. A normal response would be to process the emotions and gradually move away from the shock and worry that is initially experienced.  One who is truly experiencing PTSD may find it difficult to snap back to normal afterwards.

It is possible to lower your risk of experiencing PTSD after trauma enters your life by seeking treatment through a support system of others who have had similar dealings. Accepting the traumatic experience as part of your past is the first step to moving forward.

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