When someone goes through an especially stressful or negative experience, it can leave emotional scars in the form of trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorder occurs in one out of every four people and sometimes doesn’t show up until a period of time has passed.
Although some cases may be milder than others and may eventually solve themselves on their own, often there are much more serious circumstances that require the help of a professional.
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When it comes to the most common reasons, why people develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, here are the ones that stand out most.
Reasons why people develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD
1. Car Accidents
Being in a car accident doesn’t just mean that you may walk away with serious bodily injuries. Sometimes the fear and trauma are so impactful that people can’t stand the sight of a car or road without being triggered. Their heads start to spin and they feel short of breath as they relive the fearful event over and over.
It can be incredibly challenging for these people to get back into their car and drive again without being terrified that something could go wrong. Depending on the severity of the accident, some people may opt to never drive again.
2. Abusive Relationships
Staying in an abusive relationship is something that starts to take its toll on someone’s sanity. Being a victim of mental abuse is just as damaging as physical and can cause PTSD for years to follow.
Not only will it affect their future relationships, but their overall self-worth. It can require years of therapy to come back from living in an emotional and physical hell for a given amount of time. This is something to keep in mind if you see someone that you love in an abusive relationship. Consider reaching out for help and save them years of emotional damage.
3. Damaging Childhoods
When children grow up in hostile and abusive environments, it can affect them for their entire lives. Since children are so sensitive and still forming who they are, it’s incredibly difficult for them to experience trauma.
PTSD is not uncommon when there is a lot of physical violence and intense arguing in a household. The child becomes afraid to talk or express emotion and starts to believe that everything is their fault.
4. War
The effects of war are devastating not only physically but also emotionally. Witnessing extreme violence and cruelty will often cause the strongest of people to become easily triggered and experience flashbacks.
Many soldiers come back from war with serious PTSD, which affects their lives in more areas than one.
5. Unexpected Death
Experiencing the sudden death of someone that you love can make people completely lose themselves emotionally.
When they aren’t anticipating this intense lifestyle change, it can turn their entire lives upside down and cause them to lose all hope. Unfortunately, PTSD occurs as a result.
The first step is identifying the symptoms and moving forward with therapy, then healing and recovery are entirely possible.
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