The past couple of decades have brought much greater awareness to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This has resulted in far more people getting the help they need and deserve. In a more general sense, it has also helped many trauma victims recognize signs and symptoms.

Even so, there are some facets of PTSD that don’t always get mentioned enough. The emotional symptoms are usually the focus and thus, widely known. However, PTSD also presents with some common physical effects. Knowing these effects increases the chances of recovery.

Common Emotional Symptoms of PTSD

When most people think of PTSD, they think of nightmares, flashbacks, and other intrusive memories. Anything that reminds a victim of the trauma they endured can trigger psychological distress.

Once triggered, the person often slips into a cycle of avoidance and depression. Symptoms may include an unwillingness to talk about the traumatic event. Avoiding reminders (locations, activities, and even certain people) is not unusual. Negative thought patterns may manifest as:

  • Feeling hopeless about your own life and the world in general
  • Pulling away from relationships, family, friends, etc.
  • A sense of numbness and detachment
  • Losing interest in activities that once brought you enjoyment
  • Focusing on dark topics, dying, and suicide

Obviously, all the above is reason enough to seek professional help. However, it’s crucial that you can identify the physical signs of PTSD.

Common Physical Effects of PTSD

When dealing with stress, our bodies release stress hormones to help manage the situation. The most important of these is cortisol. Though cortisol allows your body to focus its energy on the crisis at hand, cortisol shuts down other functions.

In normal stress situations, this is a temporary response. People with PTSD may feel they are always in danger. This creates a risk of steady, elevated levels of cortisol. Too much cortisol may lead to physical effects like:

Digestive Problems

When you alert your body to danger (real or imagined), it leaps into action. One thing it does is shift the digestive process, e.g. remove excess weight so you can flee, or decreasing your appetite. PTSD creates an environment of prolonged stress.

The resulting rise in cortisol creates inflammation in the lining of your digestive tract. Your digestion will be compromised until the perception of a threat ends.

Muscle Aches and Tension

Here’s the equation: Cortisol is produced in your adrenal glands. Thanks to PTSD, chronic high cortisol depletes those glands. This increases the presence of prolactin in your body. Prolactin increases your sensitivity to pain. Your muscles and joints will feel swollen, tight, and painful.

Skin Issues

Thanks to cortisol weakening your defenses, even your normal soaps and lotions can become skin irritants.

Increased Body Fat/Decreased Lean Muscle Tissue

Your fat cells identify the release of cortisol. This causes you to crave high-sugar, high-fat foods. Meanwhile, the cortisol shuts down your muscle cells’ need for amino acids. Under such conditions, it is impossible to maintain any increase in muscle mass.

Allergies

Your immune system is closely linked to your digestive system. Increased cortisol levels in your digestive tract often translate into allergic reactions. This could develop into new allergies. It could also mean older allergies may become more intense.

You Are Not Alone

PTSD is not something anyone can handle alone. But it is treatable and beatable. Reaching out to a mental health professional is the first step. If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms that point toward PTSD, let’s talk.

Let’s connect for a free and confidential consultation and get you started on the road to recovery.