Interpreting the Symptoms of PTSD in Young Men

Do young men suffer more from PTSD? Compared to women? The answer could be – yes, young men have a more difficult time with PTSD. 

Their struggles however have got nothing to do with the severity of (PTSD) symptoms. Men and women suffer from the same agony – physical and mental. However, culturally there is a huge difference in the way men and women shoulder the pain of PTSD. 

Big Boys Don’t Cry has been the general refrain. In many countries, men cover up their trauma and even medical personnel have a tougher time detecting the signs. Therefore, PTSD treatment that could have done a lot of good is found lacking.  

Unable to express their fears and anxieties and paranoia, and struggling in silence, young men often trod the path of alcohol and drugs. Or turn to a life of crime and violence.   

Trauma can morph into PTSD undetected: why one must be careful while dealing with trauma survivors 

Trauma is a natural response to any shocking or upsetting event. We all feel a sense of shock when something untoward happens. It is natural to feel sad, lost, lonely, anxious, and stress-ridden. Physical symptoms like nausea and feeling sick in the gut are also natural effects of a stressful incident. 

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on the other hand is a serious mental health condition that happens when the pain and fear behind the traumatic incident fails to get resolved. If your child or loved one cannot get over a trauma after a couple of months or after therapy, then it could be a case of PTSD. 

While there could be many reasons for the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,  it is the inability to forget the trauma related to an incident like a:  

• school shootout, 
• military combat, 
• terrorist attack, 
• sexual abuse, 
• and natural disasters, 

coupled with social and environmental factors (such as the lack of compassion and support during those difficult times ) that heightens the risk for the disorder. So, in case you, your child, or your loved one have been through such painful circumstances, be sure to pay a visit to a therapist. 

The incidents mentioned can have a far-reaching impact on a youngster’s life, but in time people tend to forget. In PTSD however, these (incidents) are responsible for planting memories that soon turn into something bigger. It results in paranoia and triggers alerts that are hard to comprehend. Even something as natural as an alarm going off in the morning could cause stress and tension. But you wouldn’t know why if you hadn’t lived through that trauma. Therefore the a need for compassion and understanding.    

While men and women are equally susceptible to a PTSD attack, men struggle in silence. Many will refrain from seeking PTSD treatment or the help of a therapist despite the intensity of an attack because men have been taught right from their childhood to internalize. 

PTSD statistics: A silent mental health condition that afflicts many Americans  

According to the National Center for PTSD, 6 in a hundred people could experience PTSD in their lifetime. While the exact reasons behind the development of PTSD are yet unknown, experts believe socio-psychological conditioning and also genetic traits could be responsible for the development and advancement of the condition in both adult men and women. 

Signs and symptoms of PTSD in men are harder to detect: the problem with toxic masculinity  

The signs of PTSD are harder to detect in young men. For reasons, such as the obsession with masculinity that sometimes borders on toxicity as men or young adults are unable to vent to their feelings. 

Irrespective of the cultural constrictions, the symptoms of PTSD in men and women are common – a heightened state of alertness, activated flight and fight response mechanism. Both men and women go numb, develop tics, or behave impulsively in response to the fear stimuli – similar to Brody in the series Homeland. 

They might also experience intense emotion and cannot control it. They could become hyper, impulsive, and lose control. Some of the most prominent signs of PTSD that you must watch out for if you have a loved one who has suffered from trauma :

• Dissociation and loneliness
• Hyper-vigilance
• Anxiety and depression
• Feeling of guilt 
• Nightmares and flashbacks

There are also some physical symptoms of PTSD in men that are easily distinguishable:

• High BP
• Dilated pupils
• Increased breathing
• Intense Sweating
• Rapid heartbeat
• Tinnitus

Effect of PTSD

It makes a person isolated and distant. In their attempt to block painful memories, they stop partaking in daily activities. Their family life turns into shambles as they ignore offers of help. Loved ones are often shut out of their lives.

They face problems with trust, developing close bonds, and in communicating with others. This turns into a vicious circle as loved ones are forced to respond similarly. 

In response to the trauma reminder, the individual could face physical problems such as higher blood pressure, fatigue, drowsiness, inability to relax, muscle tension and joint pain, gut problems, and heart problems, which can be damaging to vital organs in the body.

Pains such as joint pain, splitting headaches, and cramps are often a response to the trigger. 

Experts believe that while PTSD in itself cannot destroy a marriage, unresolved symptoms can be the death of a marriage. Primarily because in the absence of therapy, most partners cannot appropriately address the issue. Let alone provide support.

Anger issues are common as is stress and the inability to address issues in an empathic and compassionate manner. As a result, the person becomes a loner.

Experts believe that the brain – the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex – bears the brunt of the stress. The changes made in these areas last for a long time. 

Comorbid conditions and PTSD 

PTSD is also associated with comorbid conditions such as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and substance Use Disorder (SUD). Certain mental health conditions such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder are highly likely to co-exist with the condition.  

Generalized anxiety disorder is another comorbid condition that exists with PTSD. It is responsible for disorders such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. One could also develop phobias and overlapping anxiety symptoms as a result of the trauma.

Recovering from PTSD

When it comes to PTSD, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. PTSD therapy is certainly and some of the most common therapies are Dialectical behavior therapy, Family therapy, and Nutritional therapy. An experiential approach to PTSD therapy is also found to be effective in controlling PTSD symptoms in young men. One can also benefit from practices such as yoga, mindfulness, meditation, etc. Recovering from PTSD can take time, but it does not make sense to suffer in silence. For more information reach out to reahabsupport.com at the earliest or call us at 949.325.7994