The Common Types of Symptoms of PTSD

When most people think of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), they usually envision a soldier who has just returned from a war zone. This is mainly because during the last few decades, PTSD was referred to by medical professionals and military personnel as battle fatigue syndrome since it was believed to only happen to those who fought on the front lines. But, believe it or not, this mental health condition can occur in civilians of any age or background who have gone through a terrifying experience too, such as a car accident, being physically assaulted, or surviving a dangerous natural disaster. That is one reason why it is so important that all people learn about the common symptoms that PTSD can cause so that they can get the help that they need to recover from it.

Information. Some medical researchers believe that the symptoms of PTSD are caused by the damage that is done to the brain by the terrifying experience that a person has gone through. Apparently, it can create a pattern of scarring over the area of the brain where the gray and white brain matter connect. Since this scarring covers the regions of the brain that are responsible for sleeping, processing information, and cognition, a person who has the condition will often struggle with insomnia, making decisions, and thinking clearly. This most commonly occurs in those who also suffer from damage to the brain from an explosion or a blow to the head though.