Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is actually more common than some realize. Let me make it clear, PTSD is NOT associated ONLY with those in the military. PTSD reaches far beyond that. The best definition that I found is, "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a serious potentially debilitating condition that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist incident, sudden death of a loved one, war, violent personal assault such as rape, or other life-threatening events."
PTSD is a mental illness that can turn physical. How is that? Well, the brain is a crazy thing. Dealing with PTSD can cause physical damage such as self-harm, losing hair, losing weight, etc. Oftentimes, PTSD affects the health of one by causing them to not eat, drink, get out of bed, exercise, etc. So, now we are dealing with a very severe condition that is both mental and physical.
There are many stages of PTSD. Some may say their condition is not very noticeable to others and rarely affects them. For others, this mental illness disables them from everyday activities by instilling fear and anxiety in them. A severe case of PTSD involves intense flashbacks, severe anxiety, panic attacks, self-harm, fear of the world and others, and incapable of trusting or loving someone. These severe cases can eventually result in death whether it's from the health issues caused by the illness, or death by suicide.
What is a flashback? This is such an important question when trying to understand someone with PTSD. A flashback is not a nightmare. A nightmare is often a false reality that you see while you're asleep. A flashback most commonly happens when you're awake. A flashback is normally triggered by something that makes you relive a certain traumatic memory over and over again. When one is having a flashback, they truly do feel like they are reliving it and can get confused where they are and sometimes even who they are. As life passes by around them, they can't see anything except that memory.
PTSD is not something to be taken lightly or overlooked. It is one of the hardest mental illness's to heal. This healing process takes a lifetime. Flashbacks and triggers may become lessened over time, but there will always be some of the negative side effects to your brain or body from the traumatic events.
