PTSD Trigger Symptoms

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is an anxiety condition that some people get after experiencing an extremely frightening or life-threatening experience. It can also be caused by witnessing a dangerous occurrence. Symptoms include flashbacks to the event, nightmares, hyper-vigilance, exaggerated startle response, anger, insomnia and avoidance of certain places, people or activities. PTSD triggers cause these symptoms. If you have PTSD, you can help yourself get better by learning about your triggers.

PTSD

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, symptoms usually appear within the first three months after the trauma. A person doesn't necessary have to have a predisposition to anxiety to experience PTSD, especially when the traumatic event is extreme.

Identify Triggers

Some people with PTSD are unaware of what triggers their condition. A person who has lived through a plane crash might start shaking every time he hears an airplane, but not realize what is happening. A rape victim who was attacked while jogging may feel nervous every time she sees a male in a running suit, but be unaware of the connection. Since even thinking about the triggers may cause anxiety, many PTSD sufferers try to avoid the subject.

Safety Plan

Psychologists recommend that PTSD patients have a safety plan. If you have a PTSD condition, this simply means that you have a plan in place about what you will do to cope with triggers in a healthy way. It's impossible to avoid all triggers, so be prepared as you work through the problem.

Coping with Triggers

Experts suggest trying self-soothing as a way of coping with triggers. This means finding ways to calm yourself down when you're upset, scared or anxious. Many people with PTSD use relaxation techniques to cope with triggers. Deep breathing can help. Some people feel better by calling a friend or writing their thoughts in a journal. Different things work for different people, so you will have to try a few ideas to discover what works for you.

Therapy

Psychological therapy is almost always recommended for people with PTSD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy seems to be the best kind of therapy for PTSD patients. This is where you learn to change your thoughts that cause your feelings, actions and PTSD symptoms. Sometimes the therapist will use systematic desensitization to help the patient cope with triggers. This is slowly exposing you to the triggers that cause your PTSD symptoms.

Medication

Anti-depressant medications can also help with PTSD symptoms caused by triggers. SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, can often give some relief. These drugs actually change the chemicals in the brain by acting on the neurotransmitters that regulate mood. Commonly prescribed SSRIs are Lexapro, Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac.