PTSD Side Effects: How to Fix What You Can’t Always See
The side effects of PTSD go beyond having flashbacks — they involve feelings of guilt, shame, agitation, and isolation. The person will often avoid certain people, places, and situations to keep their triggers at bay. This may seem minute or uneventful to the naked eye, but deep down, these symptoms are debilitating and often interrupt daily life.
Experiencing a traumatic event causes chaos in the mind that can manifest as physical and emotional symptoms. This can be from a natural disaster, abuse, neglect, war, and much more. In Hillsborough County, the rate of domestic violence incidents was 430 per 100,000 in 2023. In the same year, the rate of aggravated assault was 132 per 100,000. This is just a small glimpse into events that can result in developing PTSD.
At Clean Recovery Centers, we understand how trauma can cause various concerns in your life. Today, we are discussing PTSD side effects and just how detrimental they can become.
The Hidden Toll: Uncovering the Side Effects of PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after you have witnessed or been a part of a terrifying trauma. For some, processing the traumatic event is a smooth process and does not lead to the development of PTSD, while others will experience the mental health toll that untreated trauma can cause.
The side effects of PTSD go beyond just anxiety and fear – there are physical characteristics and specific symptoms that can wreak havoc on your life and relationships. Uncovering these side effects can prove difficult, as PTSD can present in different ways. The four categories of common symptoms are grouped into:
- Intrusive memories
- Avoidance
- Negative changes in mood and thinking
- Physical and emotional reaction changes
Each category contains its own set of possible symptoms, and the intensity and frequency of occurrence will vary from person to person. Some side effects may be more physically impactful, while others are more psychological.
When the Body Remembers: Physical and Mental Symptoms of PTSD
As we mentioned above, PTSD symptoms fall into four different categories that affect you physically and mentally. Here is a breakdown of what side effects can occur:
| Category | Physical Presentations | Mental Presentations |
|---|---|---|
| Intrusive memories |
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| Avoidance |
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| Negative changes in mood and thinking |
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| Physical and emotional reaction changes |
|
|
These symptoms will typically begin appearing around three months after the traumatic event. This is especially true in those who do not have a strong mental health support system and are also highly reactive to stress.
More Than Just Memories: How PTSD Impacts Daily Life
When we don’t feel our best mentally, it begins to trickle into every aspect of our daily lives. With PTSD, one of the most impactful symptoms is experiencing flashbacks and nightmares. Flashbacks can happen at any time, with or without warning. You may be going through the grocery store and experience a smell or sound related to your traumatic event. Instantly, your mind and body go into the fight-or-flight response as a way to protect you from danger. However, as thoughts of the event begin to race, the mind and body are thrust back into that situation, and this danger feels very real. Fear and panic become the driving force as memories continue to flood.
Flashbacks feel intense and terrifying in the moment and often lead to avoidant behaviors. You never go back to that grocery store and begin to avoid stores altogether. This makes getting food and basic necessities difficult, adding to the stress and negative feelings of the event.
Nightmares interfere with your sleep, which is vital for mental well-being. The brain cannot process and function without enough rest, but nightmares make it feel impossible to get quality sleep. PTSD is often linked to substance use for this reason, as you want to be able to sleep without the traumatic event haunting your dreams.
The Ripple Effect: How PTSD Affects Your Family and Friends
Family and friends want to help when they see that PTSD is affecting you negatively. Seeing how side effects such as flashbacks, negative feelings toward yourself, anger outbursts, and isolation start to take a toll, they feel the effects themselves and want to help you find relief. Staying quiet will only increase their feelings of worry and stress, adding strain to the relationship. It is best to be open and honest with family and friends to prevent this tension from worsening.
If you have a trusted family member or friend you feel comfortable with, open up with your feelings about what you experienced. This helps them understand what you are going through and how they can be effective during active symptoms. Let them know what works for you during triggers and how their presence can be utilized to calm you. In return, actively listen to their feelings and address any concerns they have for moving forward. This encourages positive communication and ensures that you both are on the same page.
Balancing Relief and Risk: Common Side Effects of PTSD Medications
PTSD is a mental health condition, meaning that medication may be necessary to help manage the symptoms. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and sleep aids are the most commonly prescribed for PTSD. As with any medication, there is always the risk of side effects. Dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, and mood shifts are among the most common, though every person is different. In some cases, weight gain and sexual dysfunction have been reported. Your doctor will go over all possible side effects with you before prescribing a medication, and they will also be available should any negative side effects become too much.
Alternative Paths to Healing PTSD
Besides medications, there are different therapy options to aid in PTSD treatment. Some of the most common include:
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): During EMDR sessions, you will recall the traumatic event while focusing on a back-and-forth movement. The goal is to process the memory and reduce the intensity of emotional attachment.
- Prolonged exposure (PE): This involves gradually being exposed to traumatic memories, situations, or objects to lower the negative feelings associated with them.
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT): A form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that specifically focuses on addressing the traumatic event and changing the thought patterns to healthier versions of yourself and the world around you.
These therapies can be utilized on their own or paired with medications. PTSD affects everyone differently, and your treatment path may not be the same as someone else’s.
Getting Help for PTSD in Hillsborough County, FL
PTSD side effects do not have to run your life – you have the ability and the power to change how your trauma affects you. Treatment for PTSD is the first step in the process, opening the door to living in less fear and avoidance. Through guided therapies, unwavering support, and possibly medications, you will have the tools needed to let go of the past and walk into a brighter future. Don’t wait any longer, it’s time to look forward to a better tomorrow.
If you or someone you love is living with PTSD, we understand how you feel. The compassionate and dedicated team at Clean Recovery Centers is filled with experts in mental health care, including dual diagnosis for those also managing a substance use disorder. Each of our locations throughout the Suncoast offers housing, so you never have to worry about finding a place to stay. Call us today at (888) 330-2532 to learn more.
Get clean. Live clean. Stay clean.
