The symptoms of this anxiety disorder are manifold and some people may experience a few or all of them.
- Increased Anxiety: If you’ve ever had a night terror then you’ll understand what this is like. Post-trauma stress can manifest in your psyche and put you on high alert – all night.
- Relive the Experience: For caregivers, this might mean you flashback to your loved one berating you during a time when they were sundowning. It may be feeling like you’ve lost them all over again. It could happen hand-in-hand with increased anxiety, where you’re suddenly on high alert and worried your loved one is wandering around the house.
- Physical Pain & Mental Anguish: Many caregivers suffering from PTSD report aches and pains that won’t go away. Additionally, many experience headaches and thoughts of hopelessness. They feel unable to move forward.
- Antisocial Behavior: Many caregivers detach from their families and friends, feeling numb, empty, and guilt-ridden. They may think about death and contemplate suicide.
The scary part about PTSD is that it can lead to suicide and that’s why it’s all the more important to be wary of what’s happening to you or your loved one. Everyone handles death differently, but if someone appears to be suffering some of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress, then it’s time to get professional help.