When you think of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you may be picturing someone who jumps at loud noises or has horrifying flashbacks of a traumatic event. Those are real symptoms, but PTSD can also show up in much quieter ways.
In Wyckoff, New Jersey, Michael Gentile, MD, specializes in interventional psychiatry and PTSD care at Wyckoff Wellness Center.
If something feels off with a family member or friend but you can’t quite put your finger on it, these four subtle signs may help you determine if your loved one is one of the 4% of adults suffering from PTSD.
One of the earliest signs of PTSD is emotional withdrawal. Your loved one may stop reaching out, decline invitations to places and events they used to enjoy, or seem distant even when you're talking face-to-face.
It's easy to chalk this up to stress or a hard time, but persistent avoidance of people, places, or conversations that might trigger painful memories is one of the hallmarks of PTSD.
You might notice that they:
Your loved one isn’t pushing you away on purpose. It’s likely that their nervous system is trying to keep them safe.
PTSD can produce irritability, sudden anger, and emotional numbness that seems to come out of nowhere. If your loved one snaps over something small, shuts down emotionally, or swings between seeming fine and seeming completely overwhelmed, trauma may be the driving force behind those reactions.
At Wyckoff Wellness Center, Dr. Gentile offers PTSD evaluation and treatment, including innovative options like ketamine infusion therapy, which has shown real promise in reducing the intensity of trauma-related symptoms when other treatments haven't worked.
Trouble sleeping is one of the most consistent indicators of PTSD. Is your loved one staying up way too late? Sleeping the day away? Waking frequently in the night? They may be trying to avoid being awake with their thoughts.
Nightmares are well-known, but restless sleep also points to a hyperactive stress response. Some of the telltale signs to look for are:
Chronic sleep disruption exacerbates other PTSD symptoms, making it harder for them to function during the day.
Does your loved one habitually scan a room when they enter? Do they sit with their back to the wall? Or jump at sudden sounds?
This state of being on constant alert is called hypervigilance, and it’s their body trying to prevent another trauma from happening. It’s exhausting to live with and looks to others like paranoia.
Early intervention can make a big difference. Dr. Gentile is experienced in identifying and expertly treating PTSD with his signature compassionate approach. Whether that includes psychopharmacology, ketamine therapy, or another path tailored to your loved one's needs, help is available.
If you notice these subtle signs, encourage your loved one to reach out to Dr. Gentile or make the call together to schedule a consultation. You can also request an appointment online.
