Lets list them for you Corina (and there is quite a list!):
- Body aches and pains - nausea, vomiting, headaches, inability to speak clearly, sweating, heart palpitations and excessive tension.
- Numbness - this can be so severe that the person can be catatonic.
- Lack of concentration - inability to sleep, nightmares, loss of productivity in the workplace and at home, mood swings, weeping.
- Flashbacks of the trauma - fear of perpetrator, imagining the trauma will happen again, fear of the trauma repeating itself, cowering, trembling and even wailing.
- Exaggerated startle response - sudden fright if someone suddenly appears, the phone rings, etc.
Judy, what are the later signs of PTSD? The ones that reveal that psychological help is needed? - Patricia, Halifax
Patricia, again I am going to list them here for you. You could say they are warning signs that the PTSD has moved on to a crucial stage where outside help is necessary:
- Feeling 'frozen' on waking. Wanting to remain in bed.
- Becoming unduly upset by violence on television, in movies, the newspaper and on hearing perceived fights or arguments in the vicinity.
- Feeling anxious about your security.
- Abusing drugs or alcohol, or both.
- Unable to stay in one place - moving house, changing phone numbers, jobs, avoiding people or places perceived as unsafe.
- Isolating yourself from friends and family members. Not wanting to go out.
- Resisting sexual contact and even simple embraces or a hug.
- Feeling of being overwhelmed and unable to cope.
- Lack of self-confidence.
- Thoughts of suicide.
