March 10, 2021
Here’s How You Can Identify PTSD Triggers
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition that occurs to individuals who have either experienced a traumatic event firsthand or witnessed one. Once thought of as a disorder suffered only by those who have been in combat situations, PTSD is now recognized as a mental health condition for survivors or witnesses of non-battle related trauma. It could start as soon as a month after the experience or even years down the line. Some veterans suffering from PTSD manifested the symptoms more than 50 years after their combat exposure.
Living with PTSD is never easy, it disrupts the entire life of its victim. You can be having fun at the beach or shopping at your local grocery store when PTSD symptoms would suddenly strike, leaving you frozen or emotionally drained as you’re reminded of your traumatic experience.
These symptoms don’t occur randomly. They are caused by certain triggers. You never know when you’ll experience an attack. Sometimes the triggers happen internally, such as thoughts or feelings. On the other hand, external triggers could be familiar faces or events.
Understanding how the disorder’s symptoms are triggered can help those struggling with PTSD to effectively manage their condition,
Get to Know Obvious and Subtle PTSD Triggers
There are obvious PTSD triggers and ones that are subtle. The subtle ones are the worst since you wouldn’t even know they’re triggers until you’re already showing the symptoms.
if you have PTSD and you suddenly feel the symptoms for no apparent reason, there’s a good chance that there’s an unknown trigger that caused it. Here are the possible triggers for PTSD symptoms to appear:
- Feelings/Emotions
When you experienced a traumatic event, you’ll have emotions that you will forever associate with it. For example, the feeling of fear can be triggered by watching a scary movie. This may cause you to relate it to the trauma-inducing event you experienced, causing you to exhibit PTSD symptoms.
- Familiar faces or places
Familiarity can also be a trigger, whether it’s someone you closely relate to your traumatic experience or a location that holds similarities where the event happened. This is the case for many sexual assault victims. Seeing a person who looks like their past aggressor has the possibility of triggering symptoms of PTSD.
- Objects
Certain things that were present or used in one’s traumatic experience can serve as triggers as well. They could be everyday objects that would hold no significance to non-PTSD sufferers. However, those objects hold special significance to PTSD sufferers since they are imprinted in their minds.
- Anniversaries
Even significant dates can be a reason to evoke an emotional response for people with PTSD. The death anniversary or birthday of a close friend you fought side by side with, or the date when you were caught up in a natural disaster — this can trigger an emotional chain reaction, bringing on memories and feelings related to your trauma, which can then come together to trigger a response from you.
Veterans Struggling With PTSD Need Your Help
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PTSD is just one of the problems that bedevil our former troops. It’s heartbreaking to think that these brave men and women who have gallantly served our nation and risked their lives are thrown yet again into another battlefield where they have to face the horrors of war anew.
Don’t just sit by the sidelines and leave our veterans to fend for themselves. Let’s do what we can to help them out!
If you have a car that you’re no longer using, donate it to us at Veteran Car Donations for the benefit of the suffering veterans in your area. That old vehicle can still serve a worthy purpose if you choose to donate it to us. We’ll put it up for auction, with the proceeds going to our veteran-focused nonprofit partners. These IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations use the funding that we provide them to deliver free quality health care, psychotherapy services, financial aid, housing assistance, employment opportunities, family support, educational scholarships, and many other benefits.
It’s never been easier to become a car donor; Veteran Car Donations has one of the easiest donation processes out there! A quick phone call to our toll-free line at 877-594-5822 is all it takes to donate to us.
You will also reap great rewards from your charitable contribution. You’ll get to benefit from our free towing service wherever you’re making your donation since we operate in all 50 states. You’ll also enjoy our quick and convenient donation process where you don’t have to do any paperwork. On top of that, you’ll have the privilege of receiving a maximized tax deduction in the next tax season.
We take in nearly all vehicle types, including those that no longer seem to be roadworthy anymore.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call us at 877-594-5822 or you may send us a message here. Check out our FAQs page for more information on our donation program.
Turn Your Old Car into a Life-Changer Today!
Who would’ve thought that your rusty automobile can still hold so much value? Use it to help deserving veterans in your community. Partner with us at Veteran Car Donations by making a vehicle donation. Call us at 877-594-5822 or fill out our online donation form today!
Last Updated: May 8th, 2023