Make Payment
Delray Beach, FL
Morriston, FL
Transformations Treatment Center
Transformations Treatment Center
(800) 270-4315Call us and get help now

What Are the Effects of PTSD?

Array Array
Marketing Department
February 1, 2021

What Are the Effects of PTSD?

PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. It is a condition that affects people from all walks of life, not just those in combat. You may have heard of this condition, but you don’t know much about it, and you have questions. Here are some answers about the effects of PTSD including one of the most common ones, “Is depression common with PTSD?” You’ll also learn how we treat PTSD and how to get help.

PTSD Can Happen to Anyone

While some may think PTSD only happens to those on the front lines, anyone can experience this condition. This paragraph from the National Center for PTSD puts it into perspective.

The risk of exposure to trauma has been a part of the human condition since we evolved as a species. Attacks by saber tooth tigers or twenty-first century terrorists have probably produced similar psychological sequelae in the survivors of such violence. Shakespeare’s Henry IV appears to meet many, if not all, of the diagnostic criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as have other heroes and heroines throughout the world’s literature.

This beautifully written prose is a simple way of saying that PTSD is neither a new thing nor one only related to certain situations.

According to the American Psychiatric Association:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event. These include things like sexual assault, a natural disaster, a violent assault, a terrorist act, a serious accident, war/combat, and more.

Effects of PTSD

PTSD affects the person and their relationships. It can make it hard to be around the person suffering from PTSD.

For the person with PTSD, there is a wide range of effects. If left untreated, these effects can multiply or get worse. Yet, PTSD is treatable, and if you or someone you know is suffering, there is help. Here are some effects those with PTSD may face.

  • Suicidal thoughts.
  • Chronic pain.
  • Self-harm.
  • Autoimmune diseases.
  • Eating disorders.
  • Depression.
  • Cardiovascular disease.
  • Anxiety.
  • Worsening physical health problems.
  • Social isolation and withdrawal.
  • Substance abuse and addiction.
  • Loss of occupational or scholastic functioning.
  • Separation or divorce.
  • Decreased ability to have successful interpersonal relationships.

Co-Occurring Disorders

An important thing to note is that it is uncommon for those with PTSD to not have other mental health disorders. Not everyone has co-occurring disorders, but it is prevalent. There are common comorbid disorders that fall under the co-occurring disorders umbrella. These include:

For those seeking treatment for PTSD, it is crucial to treat co-occurring disorders if they are present. This is because if we treat one without treating the other, the other may become worse. For example, if a patient has PTSD, and we treat a depressive disorder and only the depressive disorder, the PTSD may become amplified. This works the opposite way too. Treating depression without addressing PTSD does not help all the issues a person has.

For those without another disorder, it is still imperative to find treatment. PTSD doesn’t always go away on its own. Some people may have milder cases where it does fade over time. But for others, if left untreated, PTSD can last a lifetime. For some, anniversary dates of the trauma can trigger the effects of PTSD. And there are other triggers to be aware of.

To answer the question, “Is depression common with PTSD?” It is common and part of the co-occurring disorders we spoke of.

Help from a PTSD Treatment Center

The good news is that we treat PTSD. At Transformations Treatment Center, there are many treatment options. We focus on those like:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy.
  • Prolonged exposure therapy.
  • Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Stress inoculation therapy.

There is no right or wrong choice. Treatments vary from person to person. Some react well to traditional treatments, while others need something else to help with the effects of PTSD. If you or a loved one has PTSD, it’s not your fault. This is a reaction to trauma and help from a PTSD Treatment Center can make a world of difference. Reach out to us and let us show you how we can help you live life untethered by PTSD.