Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition, but as with many psychological concerns, it involves both mental and physical symptoms. Getting help from a PTSD treatment program may be the best solution if these symptoms are impacting your quality of life.
Flashbacks and anxiety are two well-known signs of PTSD, but few people are aware of the condition’s physical effects. If PTSD is affecting your mental or physical health or making it difficult to maintain healthy relationships, there is help. Call Sophros Recovery Tampa at 813.686.6306 for more information.
What Causes PTSD?
Many people who experience a traumatic event can recover and move forward without treatment. Others develop PTSD.
This might happen when trauma is compounded, such as it may be for an abused child who has experienced great distress over a long period. In other cases, an adult who lacks support or healthy coping skills can develop the condition. For many people, however, there is no known cause other than the traumatic event.
These events are often linked to PTSD:
- Combat experience
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Unexpected death of a loved one
- Natural disasters
- Sexual or physical abuse
- Violent crime or exposure to violence
- Extreme poverty
The symptoms of PTSD present differently for different people and can change over time. Reliving the trauma (flashbacks) and feeling anxiety when forced to interact with people, places, or things related to the trauma are common symptoms. When severe or ongoing, PTSD symptoms can have a profound impact on a person’s life.
PTSD may leave a person feeling disconnected from their family and contribute to other mental health concerns, such as depression. Fortunately, effective PTSD treatments are available.
The Physical Symptoms of PTSD
The physical signs of PTSD can be easy to overlook. They may be explained away by other problems, such as overworking or having a cold. However, when the following symptoms are ongoing, they may be signs of PTSD or another underlying mental health condition.
Chronic Pain
The traumatic event itself can cause chronic pain. For example, an auto accident can cause a permanent neck or back injury. However, emotional pain can also manifest in the body as physical pain. Headaches, backaches, and stomachaches are some pain-related signs of PTSD.
Panic and Panic Attacks
Panic is a severe emotional reaction that’s accompanied by a host of physical symptoms, including sweating, a rise in blood pressure, tense muscles, and a racing heart.
While there are many other causes of panic attacks, they can also be physical signs of PTSD. These incidents come on suddenly and are often very frightening to the person experiencing them. Many people with PTSD are also diagnosed with panic disorder.
Avoidance
PTSD physical signs aren’t always obvious. They can be hidden in the small ways a person avoids exposure to things that remind them of their trauma. For example, going miles out of your way to avoid the intersection where you got in a car crash could be a sign of PTSD.
Other physical signs of PTSD include avoiding movies about natural disasters, breaking off contact with others who were involved in the traumatic event, or misusing drugs and alcohol to distract oneself from traumatic memories.
Get Treatment for PTSD Physical Signs at Sophros Recovery Tampa Today
The physical symptoms of PTSD include chronic pain, panic attacks, and physically avoiding the people, places, and things associated with the traumatic event. Developing a substance use disorder can also be one of the physical signs of PTSD. Many individuals turn to substances as a way to cope with the trauma they experienced.
If you or someone you love is exhibiting the physical symptoms of PTSD, there is help. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a treatable mental health condition. Call Sophros Recovery Tampa at 813.686.6306 to learn more about our PTSD treatment programs. You can also use our convenient online contact form.
