The Body Keeps the Score: Signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The Body Keeps the Score: Signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is a serious condition that affects both the mind and body of individuals who’ve lived through trauma. In his ground breaking book The Body Keeps the Score, Dutch psychiatrist Bessel A. van der Kolk explains how trauma is not just a moment in time, but an experience the body continues to perceive and relive—both physically and emotionally. As van der Kolk writes, “Unless they become aware of the split-off elements and integrate them into a story that had happened in the past but was now over, they would experience a slow decline in their personal and professional functioning.” Understanding the signs and symptoms of PTSD, along with how trauma imprints itself on the body and mind, is essential for healing and recovery.
Understanding PTSD: A Global Concern
Globally, an estimated 3.9% of individuals experience post-traumatic stress disorder at some point in their lifetime (World Health Organization, 2024). PTSD is a serious mental health condition that some people develop in response to experiencing or witnessing traumatic, distressing, or frightening events. These may include:
- Accidents
- Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Domestic violence
- Natural disasters
- Life-threatening health conditions
- Loss of a loved one
- War or conflict
Who is at Risk of Developing PTSD?
While not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, certain risk factors can increase vulnerability. These include:
- Childhood trauma or abuse
- Discrimination based on caste, gender, or sexuality
- A family history of mental health conditions
- Past struggles with anxiety, substance use, or other mental health concerns
- Injury during the traumatic event
- Repeated or long-term exposure to trauma
- A lack of a social support system
The Body Keeps the Score: Trauma Lives in the Body
The phrase “the body keeps the score” underlines the physical dimension of trauma. People living with PTSD often exhibit physical symptoms alongside emotional or behavioral signs. These include:
- Chronic pain
- Numbness
- Tension headaches
- Digestive issues
- Hypervigilance or startled responses
Moreover, trauma can lead to chemical and anatomical changes in the brain. Individuals with PTSD may show:
- Altered serotonin levels, which affect mood and sleep
- An overactive amygdala, intensifying fear and threat detection
These biological impacts explain why PTSD affects both emotional stability and physical health (Medical News Today, 2024).
Signs and Symptoms of PTSD – PTSD symptoms can present in four key categories: intrusive thoughts, avoidance, changes in thinking and mood, and arousal/reactivity changes. Here’s how PTSD may show up across each category. Intrusive Thoughts: These are unwanted and repetitive memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event. Example – “I am weak and incapable; how could I have not protected myself and my children from that abuse?” Avoidance Behaviour – This can involve gently distancing oneself from people, places, conversations, or situations that bring up painful memories of the trauma. Example – “I don’t want to visit Bangalore ever again, because that’s where I lost my family to this brutal accident. Speaking about this incident will not help.” Changes in Thinking and Mood – PTSD doesn’t just affect behaviour-it can also deeply alter how a person thinks and feels over time. These changes in thinking and mood may include:
- Negative beliefs about oneself or the world
- Pervasive emotions like anger, guilt, blame, and shame
- Memory issues
- Feeling distant or numb
Example – “I feel as though my body and mind have shut down and are no longer functioning. I can barely string together in my mind the sequence of events; it all feels like a big blob of blur.” Changes in Arousal and Reactivity – PTSD can also affect how alert or reactive a person feels on a daily basis. Symptoms in this category include:
- Hypervigilance
- Heightened startle responses
- Reckless behaviours (e.g., substance use or rash driving)
- Sleep issues
- Concentration difficulties
- Physical symptoms like sweating or rapid heartbeat
Example: “I can’t sit peacefully; any sound around alarms me into hypervigilant mode. This hypervigilance makes it difficult for me to sleep peacefully or focus on tasks”. The Real World Impact of PTSD: PTSD can be distressing, alienating, and severely disruptive. It affects both children and adults, often leading to:
- Problems at school or work
- Difficulties in relationships
- Isolation and emotional withdrawal
Healing from PTSD involves recognizing these signs and seeking professional support. Connecting with a psychiatrist or psychologist is crucial to develop healthy coping strategies and promote emotional recovery.
Healing Begins with Understanding
Recognizing that “the body keeps the score” helps us understand PTSD as a mind-body phenomenon rather than just a psychological disorder. From emotional numbness to somatic symptoms and hypervigilance, PTSD can seriously interfere with a person’s life at all levels. Nevertheless, with awareness and professional help, recovery is possible. Trauma doesn’t define your life. With the right help, it can be understood and healed.
