Why can’t I just relax?

Why do I shut down when things get tough?

Why do I push people away - or cling to them too tightly?

Why do I feel on edge all the time, even when nothing is wrong?

Underneath those questions, there’s often shame and a lot of pain.

But here’s a really important question: What if the very behaviors you’re frustrated with once helped you survive?

When you experience a trauma, your nervous system can adapt (and adapt well) to overwhelming circumstances. The strategies you’ve developed - isolating, staying on-edge, codependence, anxiety, defensiveness - helped you to survive at one time.

Many people find themselves asking this question after going through something difficult or overwhelming. Afterwards, you may notice changes in your mood, sleep, relationships, or sense of safety and wonder whether what you’re experiencing is “normal,” or whether it could be post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

PTSD is often misunderstood, and it may be hard to recognize what is happening in the moment. This article will explain what PTSD is, common symptoms, how to consider whether it applies to you, and why support can be helpful for those who have experienced something traumatic.