06/04/2026
June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Month💙
After experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, some people develop PTSD, a mental health condition that affects about 5% of U.S. adults each year. PTSD symptoms can include intrusive memories, avoidance, changes in mood or thinking, and heightened alertness. While many people associate PTSD with military combat and symptoms like flashbacks or nightmares, it can develop after many different types of trauma and show up in ways that are often overlooked.
Here are five PTSD symptoms that people may miss in themselves or others:
1. Avoiding Trauma Reminders
This can look like pushing away memories or trying not to think/feel anything about traumatic events. Or it can look like trying to steer clear of external reminders associated with the trauma (ex. locations, hobbies, etc.).
2. Negative Beliefs About Self, Others, and the World
Trauma can impact self-image, trust, and worldview. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5-TR, here is an example of possible negative beliefs in PTSD: “Bad things will always happen to me.”
3. Difficulty Feeling Positive Emotions or Enjoyment
Understandably, PTSD can impact how people experience emotions. Some people with PTSD may find themselves feeling disconnected from hobbies and things they used to enjoy. Others may notice over time struggling to feel positive emotions such as happiness, satisfaction, or connection with others.
4. Difficulty Sleeping
Sleep is often impacted after trauma, whether that means difficulty falling asleep, difficulty sleeping through the night, or experiencing disruptive nightmares.
5. Dissociation
Put simply, dissociation is a protective mechanism that involves detachment from the world, the self, or the present. Some people with PTSD have dissociative symptoms, including feeling like they are not in their own body or feeling like the world around them is not real. Additionally, some people may not remember important parts of traumatic experiences.
If you or someone you know is in need of professional help, don't hesitate to call our client engagement team at 920-437-8256 to schedule an appointment💙
