What are the 20 symptoms of PTSD?

Asked by: Scot Schowalter  |  Last update: February 5, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (57 votes)

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) involves four main clusters of symptoms, totaling around 20 specific signs, including intrusive memories (flashbacks, nightmares), avoidance (of reminders, feelings), negative changes in thinking/mood (guilt, numbness, loss of interest), and heightened arousal (irritability, hypervigilance, sleep problems, being easily startled), leading to significant distress and impairment in daily life. These symptoms, defined by the DSM-5, include things like negative beliefs, self-destructive behaviors, concentration issues, and exaggerated startle responses, affecting how someone feels, thinks, and reacts after trauma.

What medication is used for PTSD?

Medicine. The 2 medicines recommended to treat PTSD in adults are paroxetine and sertraline. Paroxetine and sertraline are both a type of antidepressant known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

How long does it take to recover from PTSD?

PTSD recovery time varies greatly, with some people improving within 6 months, but symptoms lasting a year or longer for others, even potentially indefinitely without treatment, though effective therapy like CBT or EMDR can significantly shorten recovery, often within weeks to months, while factors like trauma severity, support, and co-occurring conditions influence the timeline. 

What is the best thing for PTSD?

Here are some positive coping methods:

  • Learn about trauma and PTSD. ...
  • Talk to others for support. ...
  • Practice relaxation methods. ...
  • Distract yourself with positive activities. ...
  • Talking to your doctor or a counselor about trauma and PTSD. ...
  • Unwanted distressing memories, images, or thoughts. ...
  • Sudden feelings of anxiety or panic.

What are the long term effects of PTSD?

An increasing body of evidence demonstrates how the increased allostatic load associated with PTSD is associated with a significant body of physical morbidity in the form of chronic musculoskeletal pain, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

12 signs you might be suffering from PTSD

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What does untreated PTSD turn into?

While most people can resolve their symptoms by seeking treatment, there are lasting impacts from experiencing PTSD, especially when experienced in childhood. It is not uncommon for untreated PTSD to result in the use of or dependence on drugs and alcohol to cope with intense feelings of anxiety and depression.

What illnesses can PTSD cause?

Having PTSD also may raise your risk of other mental health problems, such as:

  • Depression and anxiety disorders.
  • Issues with drugs or alcohol use.
  • Thinking about and attempting suicide.

What is the fastest way to calm PTSD?

10 ways to relax when you have PTSD

  • Have a cup of Green Tea.
  • Count Backwards. ...
  • Drip Cold Water On Your Wrists. ...
  • Meditate. ...
  • Eat some Chocolate. ...
  • Try Aromatherapy. ...
  • Progressive Relaxation. ...
  • Write It Down.

Which is the best medicine for PTSD?

There are 3 SSRI/ SNRI medications that are recommended for PTSD:

  • Sertraline (Zoloft)
  • Paroxetine (Paxil)
  • Venlafaxine (Effexor)

What triggers PTSD episodes?

These triggers can be external, such as sights, sounds, smells, or locations that are associated with the trauma. They can also be internal, such as certain thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations that are similar to those experienced during the traumatic event.

Can the brain heal after PTSD?

Whether it stems from a single life-altering event or a series of chronic stressors, its impact on the brain and behavior is profound. However, while trauma may leave deep scars, the story doesn't end there. The brain can heal, adapt, and even grow stronger in the aftermath of adversity.

What not to do to someone with PTSD?

To support someone with PTSD, don't invalidate their experience, minimize their feelings, rush their recovery, give unsolicited advice, pressure them, or use harsh tones like yelling; instead, offer patient, non-judgmental support, respect their boundaries (like asking before touching), and validate their reality, as PTSD is a complex reaction to trauma, not a choice or weakness.
 

What is stage 4 of PTSD?

Stage 4 - Short-term Recovery and Intermediate Stage: An individual with PTSD starts their journey to recovery and adjusts to get back to a 'normal' life. This stage needs much love, support, care, and concern from other loved ones.

What triggers can worsen PTSD?

You may feel like you're living through it all over again. Triggers can include sights, sounds, smells, or thoughts that remind you of the traumatic event in some way. Some PTSD triggers are obvious, such as seeing a news report of an assault.

What is the new treatment for PTSD?

New PTSD treatments focus on novel approaches like MDMA-assisted therapy, psilocybin, and ketamine, which show promise in reprocessing trauma, alongside physical interventions like Stellate Ganglion Blocks (SGBs) to calm the nervous system, and tech-enhanced therapies like Virtual Reality (VR) for immersive exposure. Emerging research also explores Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), new medications, and even hyperbaric oxygen therapy, though some require more large-scale trials for full recommendation. 

How to test for PTSD?

For physical health problems, this could include labs (like bloodwork), tests (like an x-ray, scan or biopsy) or a physical exam. For PTSD, an assessment includes answering questions about your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. PTSD is most often diagnosed, or confirmed, by a mental health provider.

What medicine is best for PTSD?

The best medications for PTSD are often SSRIs (Sertraline/Zoloft, Paroxetine/Paxil) and SNRIs (Venlafaxine/Effexor), with Zoloft and Paxil being FDA-approved for PTSD, though others like Prozac are also used; these help balance brain chemicals to reduce symptoms, but psychotherapy is generally more effective long-term, and it's crucial to work with a doctor to manage side effects and find what works for you, avoiding benzodiazepines due to dependency risks.
 

What should you avoid while taking PTSD meds?

Never use alcohol or other drugs with antianxiety medicine. This could lead to extreme tiredness, confusion, breathing problems, falls, coma, or death. Use only the amount of medicine prescribed to you.

What is a PTSD flashback like?

A flashback is a vivid experience in which you relive some aspects of a traumatic event or feel as if it is happening right now. This can sometimes be like watching a video of what happened, but flashbacks do not necessarily involve seeing images, or reliving events from start to finish.

What is the 3 3 3 rule for calming?

The 3-3-3 rule is a grounding technique for anxiety: name 3 things you see, then 3 sounds you hear, and finally, move or touch 3 parts of your body, to shift focus from anxious thoughts to the present moment, interrupting panic and bringing calm by engaging your senses. It's a simple, accessible tool to quickly regain control during overwhelming moments, working by redirecting your brain's attention outward.
 

How to treat PTSD by yourself?

How can I help myself?

  1. Focus on your breathing. When you are frightened, you might stop breathing normally. ...
  2. Carry an object that reminds you of the present. ...
  3. Tell yourself that you are safe. ...
  4. Comfort yourself. ...
  5. Keep a diary. ...
  6. Try grounding techniques.

Will I ever be normal after PTSD?

You can heal and live a full, normal life after PTSD, but you won't be exactly the same; the experience changes you, fostering resilience and new perspectives, though symptoms often significantly decrease with therapy (like CBT, EMDR) and support, allowing for symptom relief and functional recovery, even if some subtle changes remain, notes Meet Radial. Recovery means managing symptoms so they don't control your life, not necessarily erasing the past, with most people seeing significant improvement and others learning to cope effectively, says the PTSD: National Center for PTSD (ptsd.va.gov).
 

What is the #1 cause of PTSD?

abuse, including childhood or domestic abuse. exposure to traumatic events at work, including remote exposure. serious health problems, such as being admitted to intensive care. childbirth experiences, such as losing a baby.

What illness is secondary to PTSD?

The 5 Most Common PTSD Secondary Conditions

  • Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Erectile dysfunction represents one of the most prevalent yet under-discussed PTSD secondary conditions. ...
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) ...
  • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) ...
  • Migraines and Tension Headaches. ...
  • Sleep Apnea.

Is PTSD brain damage?

PTSD is more than an emotional struggle — it physically rewires the brain, altering how fear is processed, memories are stored and emotions are regulated. Key brain regions affected include the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminali, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.