PTSD Symptoms: Avoidance / Numbing

Avoidance / Emotional Numbing PTSD Symptoms

The third category of PTSD symptoms is “Avoidance / Emotional Numbing”.

This describes the sort of defensive responses a person with PTSD appears to engage in to limit their experience of negative emotion associated with the traumatic memory and it's associated effects.

The avoidance symptoms tend to involve more conscious attempts to avoid negative emotion of PTSD. Some of these include:

• Avoiding reminders of the event (eg. Not watching TV news, not associating with people who are associated with the traumatic event)

• Avoiding returning to the site of the traumatic event (where relevant)

• Avoiding discussions about the event, such as changing the subject when someone starts discussing something related to the traumatic memory.

The 'numbing' symptoms tend to involve more subconscious attempts to avoid negative emotion of PTSD. These symptoms are sometimes called dissociative symptoms. Some of these include:

• Feeling emotionally detached from others (eg. Not feeling loving feelings)

• Being unable to remember important details of a traumatic event

• Feeling like the future has somehow been cut short

• The person with PTSD feeling like they are “on a different wavelength” to the rest of the world.

It is important to note that many people experience some of the following symptoms and find they subsequently resolve over the days following the traumatic event, without the need of consulting a mental health professional. However if symptoms are severe, interfere with work or other activities, or persist, it is advisable to seek professional assistance. For more information on PTSD therapists / psychologists click here.

For details how to find a therapist / psychologist near you with expertise in PTSD treatment

click here .

Email: contact@posttraumaticstressdisorder.com.au