Signs and symptoms of PTSD

There are some symptoms of PTSD which are considered cardinal and they are:

• general restlessness,
• insomnia,
• aggressiveness,
• depression,
• dissociation,
• emotional detachment,
• nightmares

Some of the other common symptoms are:

• Avoiding thoughts, feelings and activities associated with the trauma.
• Feelings of detachment from others and an inability to love somebody
• Diminished interest or participation in social activities
• Delayed or developmental retrogression in such areas as toilet training, motor skills and language.
• Flashbacks and distressing dreams associated with the traumatic event.
• Distress at anniversaries of the trauma.
• Hopelessness about the future
• Physical and psychological hypersensitivity accompanied with trouble sleeping, anger, difficulty concentrating, exaggerated startle response to noise, and physiological reaction to situations that remind of the traumatic event.

Children with PTSD may also show the following symptoms:

• worry about dying at an early age
• losing interest in activities
• having physical symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches
• showing more sudden and extreme emotional reactions
• having problems falling or staying asleep
• showing irritability or angry outbursts
• having problems concentrating
• acting younger than their age
• showing increased alertness to the environment
• repeating behavior that reminds them of the trauma