Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can develop in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a sudden, frightening, or life-threatening event, leaving a deep emotional impact. Those directly involved or even bystanders can be affected. Key signs of PTSD include flashbacks, disturbing dreams, heightened anxiety, and recurring, unwanted thoughts related to the trauma.
The Root of PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that may set in following a traumatic event. However, PTSD symptoms might not be immediate; they can develop long after the incident. For example, a soldier might not display symptoms until months after returning from combat, or a survivor of narcissistic abuse may not begin to feel the effects until a year later.
Each person’s experience with PTSD is unique because people process trauma differently. What may trigger PTSD in one individual might not have the same effect on another. It’s important to recognize that PTSD can become a long-term issue, possibly lasting for a lifetime if left untreated.
Common Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD symptoms can appear from one month to several years after a traumatic event. These symptoms can be so intense that they disrupt daily life, interfering with personal and professional relationships.
PTSD symptoms generally fall into four main categories:
- Intrusive Memories: This includes recurring, unwanted memories of the event, flashbacks, distressing dreams, and strong emotional or physical reactions to reminders of the trauma.
- Avoidance: Individuals may go out of their way to avoid thoughts, discussions, places, or people that trigger memories of the event.
- Negative Thoughts and Behaviors: These might involve ongoing feelings of sadness, memory issues, trouble maintaining relationships, a sense of detachment, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, and emotional numbness.
- Altered Physical and Emotional Reactions: This can present as being easily startled, feeling on edge, engaging in reckless behavior, having trouble sleeping or focusing, irritability, aggression, and overwhelming feelings of guilt or shame.
These symptoms can worsen over time, especially when triggered by stress or reminders of narcissistic abuse. If someone struggles to manage these symptoms, it’s a clear sign they should seek professional help for PTSD.
PTSD from Narcissistic Abuse
PTSD resulting from narcissistic abuse can manifest in a variety of ways, with emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms that differ from person to person.
Common signs of PTSD from narcissistic abuse include:
- Re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive, distressing memories
- Feeling emotionally or physically distressed when triggered by reminders of the trauma
- Nightmares or sleep issues related to the trauma
- Avoiding places, situations, thoughts, or memories that bring back the trauma
- Irritability and aggression
- Engaging in self-destructive or reckless behavior
- Hypervigilance or being constantly on alert
- Heightened startle response
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble recalling parts of the traumatic event
- Developing negative beliefs about yourself or others
- Blaming yourself or others for what happened
- Constant negative emotions and difficulty experiencing positive ones
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Feeling disconnected from others
- Depersonalization (feeling detached from your body) or derealization (feeling like your surroundings aren’t real)
Narcissistic abuse, especially when ongoing and repetitive, is often associated with complex trauma and can lead to complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), a more specific form of PTSD.
Getting PTSD Treatment from Narcissistic Abuse
After completing initial inpatient treatment for PTSD, many individuals benefit from ongoing outpatient care. This may include intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) or partial hospitalization programs (PHPs).
These programs are designed to offer continued support to PTSD survivors as they transition back into their daily lives and routines. Typically, clients participate in therapy and structured programming for 6-8 hours a day during the week. Unlike inpatient care, they live at home or in a setting of their choice. These programs allow individuals to continue developing coping strategies while applying them in real-world situations.
Find a Treatment Center Near You
Getting treatment for PTSD from narcissistic abuse can be intimidating – especially if you are not out of a relationship that is abusing you. If you need help getting out of an abusive situation, know your resources. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be called or texted. You can even chat directly with an operator from their website.
If you are ready to heal from past traumas from narcissistic abuse, give Alter Behavioral Health a call. We’re ready to welcome you with open arms to a safe, recovered future.
About Alter
Alter is a behavioral healthcare provider that specializes in evidence-based clinical treatment approaches. We provide a wide range of programs for adults and families experiencing mental health conditions including schizophrenia, depression, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, substance abuse, and more. This is done through client-centered care for a full-continuum of treatment. We serve the entire U.S. population from our revolutionary locations throughout sunny Southern California. Whether an individual needs 24/7 care or wants an outpatient program – we are there to guide every step of the journey. For more information, give us a call at (877) 613-9776 or visit our website at alterbehavioralhealth.com.
