Meet John. He is a 62-year-old, tall, well-built, energic man with whom some would describe as someone with a heart of gold. He frequently donates to organizations like Save the Children and Big Brother Big Sister. John has been married three times; interestingly, he has a cordial relationship with all of his former wives. He has four children and two precious grandchildren. They all say he is a great friend, father, and grandfather. Moreover, he has worked in the railroad industry for the past thirty-five years and prides himself in not missing a day of work. Needless to say—John is a standup guy!
Very few know that John has a dark past. As a child, he witnessed severe abuse between his parents. When he was ten years old, he saw his father shoot his mother; his mother died from internal injuries. John had to testify, and his father was convicted of murder. As a result, he suffers from nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional distress, and difficulty sleeping. John has severe insomnia. He has described that when he attempts to sleep, he hears the screams of his mother, sees the fear in his father’s eyes, and cannot stop himself from imagining that he could have done more. John, like many individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), doesn’t “look” like he has PTSD—but he does.
PTSD is a serious mental health condition that develops after one has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. The following criteria must be met (DSM-5 for reference):
Criterion A (1 required): The person was exposed to death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence in the following way(s):
- Direct exposure
- Witnessing the trauma
- Learning that the trauma happened to a close relative or close friend
- Indirect exposure to aversive details of the trauma, usually in the course of professional duties (e.g., first responders, medics)
Criterion B (1 required): The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in the following way(s):
- Unwanted upsetting memories
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Emotional distress after exposure to traumatic reminders
- Physical reactivity after exposure to traumatic reminders
Criterion C (1 required): Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli after the trauma in the following way(s):
- Trauma-related thoughts or feelings
- Trauma-related reminders
Criterion D (2 required): Negative thoughts or feelings that began or worsened after the trauma in the following way(s):
- Inability to recall key features of the trauma
- Overly negative thoughts and assumptions about oneself or the world
- Exaggerated blame of self or others for causing the trauma
- Negative affect
- Decreased interest in activities
- Feeling isolated
- Difficulty experiencing positive affect
Criterion E (2 required): Trauma-related arousal and reactivity that began or worsened after the trauma in the following way(s):
- Irritability or aggression
- Risky or destructive behavior
- Hypervigilance
- Heightened startle reaction
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty sleeping
Again, PTSD is a serious condition—but what happens if you don’t “look” the part? At Morris Psychological Group, you get help anyway. We provide assessments to see if you meet the criteria. Likewise, we provide specialized therapy to help reduce symptoms. You do not have to suffer in silence.
Dr. Sharron Spriggs is a clinical psychologist specializing in insight-oriented treatment for adolescents and adults. With a firm belief in the interconnectedness of current symptoms and early childhood experiences, Dr. Spriggs guides her patients to comprehend the underlying factors shaping their thoughts, feelings, and understanding of their current situations. Her expertise extends to substance abuse and childhood trauma.
