Key takeaways:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition caused by trauma.
Many people with PTSD can also have physical symptoms, like pain, headaches, and fatigue.
PTSD is also associated with long-term health conditions, like diabetes and heart disease.
At least 50% of adults will experience trauma at some point during their life. Most people will fully recover, but about 1 in 5 people will go on to have a mental health condition called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
PTSD is a condition that leads to ongoing, trauma-related symptoms. You may be familiar with some of the psychological symptoms, like flashbacks and nightmares. But did you know that PTSD also causes physical symptoms, such as nausea and chronic pain?
Read on for more information about PTSD, its common physical symptoms, and the connection between trauma and physical health.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a common mental health condition that can happen after experiencing trauma. Trauma is any frightening or disturbing experience where you feel like your safety (or other people’s safety) is threatened.
Trauma can be something that happens to you or to another person you know. It can even include something that you see on the news, online, or that you experienced in your community.
People with PTSD have a wide variety of psychological symptoms:
Re-experiencing symptoms: upsetting memories, flashbacks, or nightmares
Avoidance symptoms: avoiding people or places that remind you of the trauma
Changes in your mood or thoughts: feeling guilty, depressed, or less interested in your normal activities
Feeling on edge: feeling irritable or tense, easily startled, or having angry outbursts
To be diagnosed with PTSD, you need to have at least six different psychological symptoms. These symptoms must also be severe enough to interfere with your day-to-day life.
What are the most common physical symptoms of PTSD?
In addition to psychological symptoms, PTSD can also cause physical signs and symptoms.
These can include:
Fast heartbeat
Fatigue
Muscle tension
Nausea
Joint pain
Headaches
Back pain
Read more like this
Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.
People with other mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety, are more likely to have physical symptoms of PTSD.
Do people with PTSD have other long-term health problems?
Yes. Ongoing (chronic) PTSD has been associated with other health problems and a lower life expectancy.
This means that compared to people without PTSD, people with PTSD tend to have more health problems. Examples include:
Why is trauma linked to physical health problems?
We don’t know for sure why trauma causes physical problems, but we do know your body reacts physically to danger. This physical reaction is sometimes called a “fight-or-flight” response (or a “fight-flight-freeze” response).
When you’re in fight-or-flight mode, your body releases chemicals and hormones that “prepare” your body to respond to a dangerous situation, either by fighting or running away. These reactions can cause changes in your body, like:
Increased heart rate and breathing
Increased blood pressure
Muscle tension
Trouble thinking clearly
Sweaty palms
Dry mouth
Feeling flushed or hot
The fight-or-flight response is your body’s way of protecting itself. But being in fight-or-flight mode too often can actually be hard on your body systems, causing health problems. This may be the reason that PTSD is connected to other health conditions.
How is PTSD treated?
Many people with PTSD recover on their own. But if you’re struggling with PTSD symptoms, remember: PTSD is treatable.
Most people with PTSD are treated with a combination of therapy and medication.
Additional treatments can also help with the physical symptoms of PTSD, including:
Massage
Acupuncture
Physical therapy
Coping with the physical symptoms of PTSD
Coping strategies can help your body relax and get you out of fight-or-flight mode.
Examples include:
Taking slow, deep breaths
Using positive self-talk
Focusing on your five senses (5-4-3-2-1)
Using guided imagery to reduce stress
Using a weighted blanket
Finding a way to laugh
If you’re working with a healthcare provider or therapist, they can coach you on using these strategies. The Department of Veteran Affairs PTSD Coach (available as an app or website) is also a great resource for coping techniques.
Identifying PTSD triggers
For people with PTSD, triggers are any sensation or experience that sets off your PTSD symptoms. Common triggers include:
Smells
Sounds
Tastes
Images
Words
Phrases
Being touched
Being in a certain location or situation
News and current events
Learning to understand and minimize your triggers can help keep your physical symptoms under control.
The bottom line
PTSD is a mental health condition caused by trauma. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including physical symptoms, like pain, headaches, and fatigue. And PTSD can even put you at risk for other long-term health conditions.
Fortunately, PTSD is treatable. If you or someone you know has symptoms of PTSD, think about reaching out for help. Working with your healthcare provider can help you get your symptoms of PTSD under control — both psychological and physical.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255, or the Veterans Crisis Line (if you are a veteran, or a friend or a family member of a veteran). If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room as soon as possible.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2020). Expert Q & A: PTSD.
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Trauma.
American Psychological Association. (2018). Stress effects on the body.
Arenson, M., et al. (2017). Posttraumatic stress disorder and cardiovascular disease. PTSD Research Quarterly, National Center for PTSD.
CardioSmart. (2018). PTSD increases risk of hypertension in injured soldiers. American College of Cardiology.
DeCarvalho, L. T. (2019). The experience of chronic pain and PTSD: A guide for health care providers. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Lees, A. B. (2020). 7 tools for managing traumatic stress. National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Mullen, B., et al. (2008). Exploring the safety and therapeutic effects of deep pressure stimulation using a weighted blanket. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. (n.d.). National suicide prevention lifeline.
Qureshi, S. U., et al. (2009). The link between post-traumatic stress disorder and physical comorbidities: A systematic review. The Psychiatric Quarterly.
Roberts, A. L., et al. (2015). Posttraumatic stress disorder and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a sample of women. JAMA Psychiatry.
Rosman, L., et al. (2019). Posttraumatic stress disorder and risk for stroke in young and middle-aged adults. Stroke.
Sidran Institute. (2018). Traumatic stress disorder fact sheet.
Smith, M., et al. (2021). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). HelpGuide.
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. (n.d.). PTSD coach.
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. (2021). Whole health - guided imagery.
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. (2022). Chronic pain and PTSD: A guide for patients.
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. (2022). How common is PTSD in adults?
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. (2022). PTSD treatment basics.
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. (2022). Substance misuse.
Veterans Crisis Line. (n.d.). Veterans crisis line.
Yim, J. (2016). Therapeutic benefits of laughter in mental health: A theoretical review. The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine.
