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Do I Have PTSD? Recognizing the Key Signs and How to Heal

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There is a pervasive myth that trauma ends the moment the event is over. But for many, the body keeps score long after the danger has passed.

If you or someone you love is feeling "stuck" in a past event (unable to shake the memories, the anxiety, or the overwhelming feeling that danger is still lurking) it may be more than just stress. It might be Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

If you are, we believe that understanding what you're feeling is the first, crucial step toward healing. Let’s break down the signs, the stigma that often silences us, and the path forward.

 

The Signs: It’s More Than Just "Bad Memories"

PTSD is not a sign of emotional weakness; it is a physiological response to a terrifying event. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), symptoms usually begin within three months of the traumatic incident, but they can sometimes surface years later.

While everyone experiences PTSD differently, symptoms generally fall into four categories:

  1. Re-experiencing: Flashbacks, bad dreams, or frightening thoughts that make you feel like you are reliving the trauma.

  2. Avoidance: Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the traumatic experience.

  3. Arousal and Reactivity: Feeling easily startled, feeling tense or "on edge" (hyper-vigilance), having difficulty sleeping, or having angry outbursts.

  4. Cognitive and Mood Symptoms: Trouble remembering key features of the traumatic event, negative thoughts about oneself or the world, or distorted feelings like guilt or blame. [1]

PTSD warning signs

Note: It is normal to have some of these reactions after a tragedy. However, if these feelings last longer than a month and interfere with your daily life, it may be time to seek help.

 

The Stigma: The Silence That Hurts

Perhaps the most painful symptom of PTSD is one that isn't listed in the medical books: SHAME.

There is a lingering stigma that suggests we should be able to "just get over it" or "toughen up." This prevents countless people from seeking the help they deserve. It is vital to remember that PTSD changes the brain's chemistry and structure. You cannot simply "willpower" your way out of it, any more than you could willpower a broken bone to heal instantly.

Acknowledging that you are hurting is not an admission of defeat,  it is an act of bravery.

 

Steps Toward Recovery

The most important takeaway is this: PTSD is treatable. You do not have to live in the shadow of your past forever.

Recovery looks different for everyone, but it often involves a combination of:

  1. Evidence-Based Therapy: The American Psychological Association (APA) strongly recommends therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which are specifically designed to process trauma. [2]

  2. Medication: Certain antidepressants can help control symptoms like sadness and worry.

  3. Self-Care and Community: engaging in mild physical activity, setting realistic goals, and confiding in a trusted friend, family member, peer group, or therapist.

 

Alton McCallum, founder of Insight Counseling and strategic partner of BE-OK, shared the following perspective on PTSD:

“Post‑traumatic stress is far more prevalent than is commonly recognized, and many individuals develop symptoms in response to significant life events or prolonged stressors. Importantly, with timely, evidence‑based intervention and consistent support, meaningful improvement is not only possible but realistically attainable for the majority of people who seek care."

 

 

You Can BE-OK

If you recognize these signs in yourself or a loved one, please know that there is HOPE. The path to recovery isn't always straight line, but the good news is, you don't have to walk it alone. BE-OK has a long list of resources to help you on your recovery journey.

Your trauma is part of your history, but it does not have to be your future.

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