Even though the threat may no longer be present, your body will respond as if it were.
This can then be triggered even by simply remembering a traumatic event.
The other hormone,cortisol, works over the long term to regulate the body’s response to stress.
Claudia Burlotti / Getty Images
Unlikechronic stressin which cortisol levels will invariably rise, cortisol levels in people with PTSD tend to be low.
Changes in the functioning of the areas of the brain following trauma contribute to symptoms of hyperarousal.
An overactive amygdala impairs our ability to discriminate threats from non-threats.
This is known as theamygdala hijack.
The low cortisol levels in people with PTSD lead to shrinkage of thehippocampus.
The pre-frontal cortex is also found to have decreased volume in people with PTSD.
This means executive functions such as attention, focus, perception, and judgment will be impaired.
Symptoms
Hyperarousal in PTSD can affect children and adults equally.
This can lead to severebouts of depression.
There is a higher incidence of alcohol and substance use in people with PTSD.
All of these high-risk behaviors exacerbate the challenges of PTSD in the long run.
Eating disordersare not uncommon in people with untreated PTSD.
In extreme cases, PTSD may lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Treatment is typically multidisciplinary and may includepsychotherapy, medication, and stress management training.
ET, or contact yourlocal NAMI chapter.
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