5 Common Signs Of PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex mental health condition that can affect several different aspects of an individual’s life. While many of the signs of PTSD impact a person’s mental and emotional well-being, this condition can also manifest as physical symptoms. These effects can lead to pain, fatigue, and illness, and they may also exacerbate the mental symptoms of the disorder. Below, we’re going to cover five of the most common symptoms of PTSD, how they may affect someone with this disorder, and what treatment options are available.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental illness that can develop after an individual experiences a traumatic event. Although it’s common in and often associated with members of the military who have been in combat zones, the disorder can affect anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. These could include things like serious accidents, natural disasters, or violence. 

PTSD is often characterized by:

• Re-experiencing the event or associated emotions (e.g., flashbacks, nightmares)
• Avoidance (e.g., avoiding experiences, locations, people, or even symbolic reminders that recall or are associated with the original event)
• Cognition/mood (e.g., memory issues, distorted thoughts)
• Hyperarousal/reactivity (e.g., tension, sleep disturbances)

Oftentimes, it’s the hyperarousal/reactivity symptoms that lead to bodily effects, but the other categories of symptoms may also contribute to their development.

Who is at risk for developing this after a traumatic event?

It also reports that women are more likely to experience this condition than men. However, this may be because women are more likely than men to experience certain traumatic situations like sexual assault. Members of the military are also more likely than civilians to experience this disorder, especially if they’ve been deployed to combat zones. Note that post-traumatic stress disorder can appear in both adults and children.

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Genetics may also play a role in an individual's susceptibility to developing a stress condition. Certain other risk factors have been identified as well—such as whether the individual has a support network of friends and family members, their age, and whether they currently have or have had any mental health conditions in the past.

Common symptoms

Again, although the symptoms most commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder are mental and/or emotional, it’s also possible for a person to experience physical effects. This is likely because our physical and mental health are intertwined in many ways. Plus, bodily effects can increase the emotional effects of the disorder and vice versa—known as a bidirectional relationship—which makes seeking treatment for a condition like this even more important. Five of the most common signs of PTSD are as follows.

1.  Hyperarousal

Hyperarousal is a category of symptoms that can also be considered a symptom itself. It generally refers to an increased sensitivity to stimuli and a high and/or chronic level of vigilance, which can produce a series of different physiological effects like a rapid heartbeat, jumpiness, and muscle tension. 

While PTSD symptoms can be triggered by thinking about, talking about, or re-experiencing traumatic events, hyperarousal may be present at other times too. Sometimes, it may not be possible to pinpoint what triggered them in a given moment. Hyperarousal can leave an individual feeling like they’re in a constant state of alert, which can be exhausting and may lead to or exacerbate other symptoms as well.

2.  Body aches and chronic pain

As another of the potential symptoms, there is a well-documented connection between chronic pain and past trauma, and an estimated 25% of people who live with chronic pain also have PTSD. One study that explored this comorbidity found that people who live with both PTSD and chronic pain tend to experience higher levels of pain intensity and pain-related disability than people who experience chronic pain without a history of trauma and without PTSD. This finding suggests that PTSD can exacerbate pain.

There are various theories available as to why someone with PTSD may experience body aches and chronic pain. One is that PTSD and pain can arise from the same event(s). For example, military members or first responders may experience chronic pain from their work, which could also have led to PTSD. Another explanation is that some individuals with PTSD may end up with chronic pain because their mental/emotional symptoms make self-care practices such as exercising more difficult. Additionally, some people with PTSD experience body aches as a result of anxiety, which can cause consistent muscle tension. 

3.  Digestive issues

Research shows that some people who live with PTSD also face gastrointestinal (GI) issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can cause diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and cramping. In a study of 184 veterans with PTSD, researchers found that 36% of participants experienced stomach discomfort and 25% had symptoms of IBS specifically. 

One reason for this relatively high prevalence of stomach issues could be that the nervousness and tension associated with PTSD can increase levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can contribute to gastrointestinal distress. PTSD can also cause an individual to turn to maladaptive coping mechanisms like smoking and alcohol consumption, which can cause GI issues as well. 

4.  Chronic headaches or migraines

There is also evidence that indicates a link between PTSD and headaches. Some research suggests that the reason for the comorbidity may be that headaches and PTSD have “common genes and pathways” in the brain, which would mean that the two have some risk factors. Migraines are usually characterized by a persistent throbbing in the head (usually on one side more than the other), plus nausea, vomiting, and/or sensitivity to light. 

5.  Trouble sleeping

There are several different reasons that people with this disorder may experience trouble sleeping. First, hyperarousal can make it hard to relax and manage stress, both of which may result in disruptions to sleep patterns. In other words, if you feel that you’re frequently on alert because you constantly fear you may be in danger, it can be difficult to fall and stay asleep. It’s also common for those with PTSD to re-experience the inciting traumatic event through nightmares. Not only can these disrupt sleep, but the fear of having one may also cause intense distress and make it harder to fall asleep.

Other signs of PTSD

There are a variety of other signs that do not necessarily affect the body in nature. The re-experiencing, cognitive, and avoidance symptoms, for instance, often have more mental and emotional effects. It’s important to note, though, that even those symptoms of PTSD can include substantial effects. For example, anxiety can cause a rapid heart rate, sweating, and an upset stomach. 

Some of the other, common cognitive and emotional symptoms include:

• Flashbacks 
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble remembering specific details of events
• Irritability and anger
• Increased fear and anxiety
• Feeling detached or withdrawn from loved ones
• Lack of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Suicidal thoughts

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 988 to talk to someone over SMS. Support is available 24/7.

When left untreated, post-traumatic stress disorder alike can significantly disrupt an individual’s daily life. This condition can also lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems, substance misuse (formerly referred to as “substance abuse”), a negative impact on work and relationships, and a variety of other effects and challenges. 

Treatment for PTSD

The effects of this disorder can be severe, but this condition is considered treatable, and many people who have experienced it go on to live stable, fulfilling lives. Treatments for PTSD typically consist of a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Because this disorder is often associated with altered serotonin levels, medications that address this chemical imbalance—specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—are often prescribed to treat symptoms. 

When it comes to therapy, the options that tend to be utilized most often include exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). The exact method used will typically depend on your specific symptoms, which is why being evaluated by a qualified mental health professional is often a recommended first step if you're experiencing symptoms of this or another mental health condition.

Seeking treatment

Led by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Center for PTSD has many resources for people experiencing the effects of this condition. If you’re living with symptoms of PTSD, it can be a helpful place to start exploring options for managing the effects of trauma.

Since therapy is a typical treatment for this disorder, you may also benefit from meeting with a mental health care provider. They can offer you a safe place to process your emotions and can help you develop healthy coping mechanisms for your symptoms. If you’d prefer to meet with someone in person, you can search for a provider in your local area. If you find virtual meetings with a therapist to be more comfortable or convenient for your needs or your schedule, you might consider online therapy instead. 

A growing body of evidence indicates that online therapy may help alleviate the symptoms just as effectively as traditional in-office care. For instance, findings of a 2023 study suggest that online CBT may produce similar benefits for those living with PTSD as in-person CBT. Cognitive behavioral therapy in general can help an individual reframe intrusive thoughts about a traumatic event that may be causing symptoms. 

If you’re interested in trying online therapy, you might consider a virtual therapy platform like BetterHelp. With a service like this, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging to address the challenges you may be facing.