PTSD Symptom Groups

The three PTSD symptom groups discussed by Cash and Weiner (2006) are re-experiencing, Avoidance / numbing, and Hyperarousal.  Re-experiencing involves recollections of the traumatic event that are recurring and intrusive and includes distressing images, thoughts or perceptions; distressing dreams; behaving or feeling as if the event were repeated (dissociative flashbacks, illusions, hallucinations, etc.); intense psychological distress when exposed to a stimulus that may represent a part of the event (triggers), and physiological reactivity to internal or external stimuli.  Avoidance / numbing involves the person making an effort to avoid thoughts or feelings, activities, places, or people associated with the trauma; inability to recall aspects of the trauma, less interest in participating in important activities, detachment, and a sense of foreshortened future.  Hyperarousal involves difficulty with sleep, irritability or angry outbursts, difficulty with concentration, hypervigilance, and an exaggerated startle response (Cash & Weiner, 2006).

            Of the three symptom groups, I believe re-experiencing is the worst because of the dissociation that occurs.  Dissociation refers to the ability to briefly escape a traumatic memory by separating it from normal memories or current situations (Schiraldi, 2009).  Dissociation allows the person to briefly leave their body and become mentally or spiritually distant.

            Dissociating is only a temporary reaction, however, because the traumatic memories continually intrude into conscious thought and they cannot be put away for long.  Because it is not connected to present awareness, it cannot be processed and a variety of triggers may cause it to resurface (Schiraldi, 2009).  I have a friend who suffers from PTSD related to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).  He experiences dissociation when triggered, and I can see in his face and eyes how he mentally “checks out.”  His face and eyes become void of emotion and he appears to have a “thousand-yard stare.”  This can last for a few seconds to several minutes, and when he “returns”, he acts as if nothing has happened.  He’s explained to me how clapping and other loud, sudden noises hand such as a door slamming, trigger combat memories.

            Spiritual healing from dissociation can be a journey, and it is a journey that should not be taken alone.  Just as Paul told Timothy, “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3, NASB), no one should suffer alone.

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References

Cash, A., & Weiner, I. B. (2006). Wiley Concise Guides to Mental Health: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.

Schiraldi, G. R. (2009). The post-traumatic stress disorder sourcebook: A guide to healing, recovery, and growth. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.