Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects about six out of 100 Americans following some type of trauma. Though many people are able to find recovery from their PTSD symptoms, some may experience chronic issues associated with complex PTSD.
At Klarity Clinic, our physicians have extensive experience using ketamine infusion therapy to keep PTSD symptoms well-controlled. Ketamine therapy is especially helpful for those with complex PTSD, a disorder that can develop after long-term episodes of trauma.
Our ketamine specialists customize a care plan to your specific needs, so you can live a life free of anxiety, flashbacks, and other PTSD-related symptoms. We also provide wellness resources that help you cope with a PTSD diagnosis.
Here, we outline a few of the lesser-known symptoms of PTSD, so you can recognize the warning signs and get the help you deserve.
PTSD is a complicated condition, and it isn’t well understood why some people develop the disorder after trauma while others do not.
Widely recognized symptoms of PTSD include anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares, but the condition can also cause symptoms that are more difficult to diagnose, including:
People with PTSD can go to great lengths to avoid situations that remind them of their traumatic experience. For instance, if you witness a traumatic train accident, you may do everything you can to avoid riding on or being around any type of train. If you’re a victim of assault by a male, you may have a strong desire to avoid any man at all costs.
Those with PTSD may also internally avoid dealing with intrusive and negative thoughts, which can be harder to notice for people on the outside looking in.
PTSD can trigger feelings of hypervigilance, making you always feel the need to be on alert for threats, even in secure environments.
PTSD sufferers may resist sitting with their back to the public or stay up throughout the night on guard in case something happens.
PTSD can make you extra sensitive to being startled, especially when the startling situation relates to the original trauma.
This increased sensitivity can cause an overly dramatic response to being surprised, such as physically lashing out at the person who startled you.
Despite their hypervigilance about their safety, a person with PTSD may still engage in risky or reckless behaviors that put them in harm’s way.
These behaviors most often include drinking and driving, recreational drug use, gambling, and starting fights.
Memory loss associated with PTSD is known as dissociative amnesia. You may have trouble remembering periods of time or specific circumstances of events.
This condition is different than forgetfulness or memory issues linked to traumatic injury.
Depersonalization describes a feeling of detachment from yourself. You may feel like you’re living in a dream, that time moves slowly, or like you frequently see yourself from outside of your body.
PTSD can affect your cognitive function and cause problems with your concentration abilities, verbal learning, and information processing.
These issues can make it difficult to keep up with your responsibilities at home and at work, such as paying bills, remembering appointments, or staying on track with work-related tasks.
The increased levels of stress on your body that PTSD causes can ultimately lead to chronic pain.
There isn’t clear understanding among the medical community about the link between chronic pain and PTSD, but many with the disorder experience persistent headaches, neck pain, and back pain for no identifiable reason.
If you or someone you love is experiencing these issues, don’t delay a PTSD evaluation. Our provider can determine if you’re a candidate for ketamine infusion therapy based on the severity of your symptoms and their impact on your quality of life.
Call the Klarity Clinic office near you today to schedule a PTSD consultation, or book an appointment online.
