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Know what to look for: the 4 big signs of PTSD laid out in less than 4 minutes

Knowing the signs and symptoms of PTSD can save a life. Here are the big four to watch out for.

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Veterans Crisis Line

You may be familiar with the term post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

You might even think you know what PTSD looks like. But do you know how to tell the difference between run-of-the-mill stress or something more serious?

It's common to have stress after experiencing or witnessing a trauma, like a car accident, natural disaster, military service, or abuse.

When anxiety and distress last longer than three months after a traumatic incident and don't seem to be getting better, that may be a sign of PTSD.

PTSD has been a hotbed topic with 11% to 20% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan report experiencing symptoms in a given year.

And while the disorder makes headlines, many people are still unsure what to look for or how to support themselves or someone they care about.

If you are suffering (or know someone who is) from nightmares, extreme guilt, or fits of anger, it may be time to reach out for help.

There are four major symptoms associated with PTSD. Recognizing them is the first step on the road to recovery.


Images via Veterans Health Administration.

But there's support for those experiencing PTSD.

There are lots of treatment options to manage PTSD, from traditional methods like counseling and medication to alternative solutions like yoga and meditation.

There are also specific resources and networks for veterans and survivors of sexual assault.

Just remember, no one has to go through this alone.

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The therapy dogs at Walter Reed are not magic. (OK, maybe a little bit.)

When you're going through something really hard, sometimes what you need is a warm, fuzzy, adorable distraction.

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The magic science is compelling. Therapy dogs really do seem to help sick and injured people recover.

Therapy dogs like those at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in the above video by Military Health aren't random dogs from a local shelter. These are highly trained, certified dogs with handlers. Therapy and emotional support dogs have been shown to help veterans break out of their emotional shells, leading to more productive therapy sessions and better relationships with loved ones.

More research is needed into how exactly therapy dogs help mitigate the problems that wounded veterans experience, but we've known for a very long time that having pets — especially dogs — grants some pretty serious health benefits.

Why do dogs make us feel good?

One big reason: They stimulate our brains to create oxytocin.

Quick neurochemistry lesson:

Oxytocin is a hormone that the brain excretes during certain social interactions. It does a few neat magic tricks on the mind and the body. Scientists have found that oxytocin:

  • helps us bond with our friends, romantic partners, and family (especially children),
  • prompts our bodies to heal themselves,
  • helps us trust each other, and
  • reduces anxiety, fear, and stress.

How awesome is all that?

This awesome:

Do you think a dog can have an impact on happiness?

Go pet your dog and then tell me. If you don't have a dog, pet someone else's dog. (But always ask first.)

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6 wardrobe changes later, the thing she wears best in this lingerie ad is still her confidence.

What a great reminder.

This lingerie ad is important.

In an ad by Panache Lingerie, we meet international model Marquita Pring. She was selected by Panache as part of its role model campaign, which is in celebration of strong women worthy of aspiration.

When it comes to being our best selves, she says: Be you.

Pring is quick to explain that it isn't only skin-deep. She talks about how it is more than just what meets the eye and offers some good advice on what's most important. She says:

"Focus on yourself. That's all you can do. Once you start comparing yourself to others, you lose track of your own path. Putting that little extra effort into loving yourself makes such a difference. Learn to love yourself, and the rest will fall into place."
— Marquita Pring

But where do we usually get the idea of "perfection"?

Hint:

via Tumblr

via Giphy

via Giphy and Giphy

When we elevate the same body over and over, we send a message: "This body is the best body. This is the body you should have."

A lot of the media we see celebrates only one kind of body as the best. That's not true. Every body is the best body. But 23 people in the United States die each day from eating disorders. The body ideals that come to us through ads and media have a lot to do with that statistic.

If we want to send the message that all bodies are good bodies, we have to show lots of bodies.

Not just white bodies. Not just tall bodies. Not just thin bodies. Lots of different bodies.

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Let's take a moment to examine how men are treated in video games. (It's not good either.)

Even though video games are predominantly created by men, the way male characters are treated is astoundingly problematic.

His arguments are pretty convincing.


Jamin Warren makes four key points about how men are portrayed in video games:

It's not that violent video games are bad or that every male character needs to have a dadbod or that no video game should ever have any of the features he objected to.

The problem is not the existence, but the prevalence.

One-dimensional portrayals of men aren't good for anyone. They reinforce harmful stereotypes that limit men's ability to live their best life for themselves.

A little more diversity in how male characters are portrayed and the stories we walk with them through would be a good thing all around.

Of course, men aren't alone in this. For more on how women are treated in games, see my other posts on violence against women in games, harassment of female game developers, and what it looks like when a video game gets a female protagonist right.

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