Trauma Awareness and Treatment Center

Disorders & Problems Co-Morbid with PTSD

Larry Beall, Ph.D.

Disorder Symptomatic, Behavioral Manifestations

A. Mood/Anxiety Disorders          

Major Depression and Bipolar Mood swings, insomnia, impaired concentration, sad, withdrawn, fatigued

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Irritability, hyper-vigilance, startle response, poor concentration, insomnia, unrealistic worry

Phobias (Most common—simple phobias, social phobia,agoraphobia) avoidant behaviors triggered by environment 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 Disorders  The psychic pain of trauma can generate anger on the level of rage and the behavioral problems often associated with rage. The deeper the violation the more intense the rage.

B. Disorders of Cognitive Functioning

Attention Deficit Disorder Forgetful, confused, difficulty learning from experience, problems with concentration, easily distracted Thought Disorder/Schizophrenic-Chaotic, disorganized, loose associations, loss of like Disorders contact with reality

C . Disorders of Dissociation  Rapid changes in personality, rapid age regression, amnesia, third person references, daze or trance states, time loss, vivid images

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D. Somatic Disorders

Somatization Disorders-Psychosomatic/      Rapidly changing physical complaints

Conversion/Somatoform

Migraine Headache Because of its frequency, intensity and disabling features, it is given distinction as a somatic disorder

E. Behavioral Disorders

Chemical Abuse/Dependency Drug and alcohol abuse is frequently 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 Behaviors Because of the intensit of intra-psychic emotional forces associated with childhood sexual abuse in particular, self-mutilation,  needs to be assessed.

Conduct/Personality Disorders Lying, inappropriate sexual behavior, aggression, explosive temper, self-mutilation

F. Interpersonal Problems

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