Secondary and Associated PTSD Symptoms
Secondary symptoms of
PTSD are problems that arise because of the re-experiencing and avoidance symptoms themselves. For example, because a person wants to avoid talking about a traumatic event, she might cut off from friends, which would eventually cause her to feel lonely and depressed. As time passes after a traumatic experience, more secondary symptoms may develop. Over time, secondary symptoms can become more troubling and disabling than the original PTSD symptoms.
Associated symptoms don't come directly from being overwhelmed with fear; they occur because of other things that were going on at the time of the trauma. For example, a person who is psychologically traumatized in a car accident might also be physically injured and then get depressed because he can't work or leave the house.
Common secondary and associated symptoms of PTSD can include:
- Depression
- Despair and hopelessness
- Loss of important beliefs
- Aggressive behavior toward oneself or others
- Self-blame, guilt, and shame
- Relationship problems
- Detachment from others
- Being argumentative
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy doing
- Social isolation
- Health problems
- Drug and alcohol abuse.
Each of these PTSD symptoms is discussed in more detail in the following sections.
Depression
Depression can develop when a person has losses connected with the trauma or when a person avoids other people and becomes isolated.
Despair and Hopelessness
Despair and hopelessness can result when a person is afraid that he or she will never feel better again.
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