Larry Beall, Ph.D.

 

Disorder                               Symptomatic, Behavioral Manifestations

 

 

 

 

Major Depression                     Mood swings, insomnia, impaired   

and Bipolar                          concentration, sad, withdrawn,

                                          fatigued

 

Generalized Anxiety                Irritability, hyper-vigilance,

Disorder                                   startle response, poor concentration,

                                          insomnia, unrealistic worry

 

Phobias                                      (Most common:simple phobias, social

                                          phobias, and agoraphobia) avoidant

                                          behaviors triggered by enviroment

                                          and/or social stimuli

 

Panic Disorder                           Choking, numbness, tingling, fear of

                                          going crazy, fear of dying

 

Sleep Disorder                           Common with unresolved trauma in

                                          connection with arousal or sympathetic

                                          nervous system.  Often exacerbates

                                          other disorders.

 

Anger or Explosive               The psychic pain of trauma can

Disorders                            generate anger on the level of rage

                                          and the behavioral problems often

                                          associated with rage.  The deeper the

                                          violation, the more intense the rage.

 

 

 

 

Attention Deficit                   Forgetful, confused, difficulty

Disorder                                      learning from experience, 

                                           problems with concentration, easily

                                           distracted 

 

Thought Disorder                        Chaotic, disorganized, loose  

(Schizophrenic-like)              associations, loss of contact with

                                            reality

 

 

Disorders of Dissociation          Rapid changes in personality, rapid

                                            age regression, amnesia, third person

                                            references, daze or trance states,

                                            time loss, vivid images

 

 

 

 

Somatization Disorders          Rapidly changing physical complaints

 

Migraine Headache                Because of its frequency, intensity 

                                            and disabling features, it is given

                                            distinction as a somatic disorder

 

 

 

Chemical Abuse &                      Drug and alcohol abuse is frequently  

Dependency                          co-morbid with PTSD both for self-

                                            medication and as a result of the

                                            substance abuse lifestyle that leads

                                            to traumatic experiences

 

Addictive Behaviors                  Because of the anxiety generated by

                                           PTSD, and the coping problems it

                                           creates, addictions are highly

                                           correlated with post-trauma

                                           conditions.

 

Eating Disorders                   Preoccupation with food is common

                                           with unresolved trauma.  Food is a

                                           readily available form of self

                                           medication.  Also because of control

                                           issues, Bulemia, Anorexia Nervosa and

                                           other food addictions can result.

 

 

Self-Destructive                         Because of the intensity of intra-

Behaviors                             psychic emotional forces associated

                                            with childhood sexual abuse in 

                                            particular, self-mutilation needs to be

                                            assessed.

 

Conduct/Personality                 Lying, inappropriate sexual behavior,

Disorders                                   aggression, explosive temper, self-

                                            mutilation

 

 

 

Relationship Problems              Common with trauma survivors for

                                           several reasons.  They are often

                                           fearful, ashamed, have low self-

                                           esteem, and inability to trust. 

                                           Difficulty with self-assertion.  Marital

                                           problems and staying with abusive

                                           partners.

 

Paranoia                              Early trauma contributes to

                                           suspiciousness, fears of being harmed,

                                           looking over shoulder