Recovery from PTSD and Trauma for High-Functioning Individuals
If you have found our resource, you likely already know the reality: people with high-functioning PTSD are often successful in their everyday lives. And if you are a high-functioning person with PTSD, you may primarily experience internal or ‘hidden’ symptoms. Despite these symptoms, you could be high-achieving at work, school, or in other parts of life.
This can make it even more challenging to seek help for high-functioning PTSD than if symptoms were causing everyday crises. You may worry that talking to a therapist would disrupt your productivity, or you may feel tempted to continue everyday life as though you aren’t affected.
However, having primarily internal symptoms doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve to heal. Imagine the sense of relief, and the ability to be more present with those you love and even your colleagues and colleagues. Plus, high-functioning PTSD can come with serious consequences if it is left untreated.
So, what should you know if you have high-functioning PTSD or think that you might?
First, let’s define high-functioning post-traumatic stress disorder. Then, we’ll provide a self-test you can use to identify the signs. Finally, we’ll talk about the possible consequences of high-functioning PTSD and why getting help at facility like ours at Catalina Behavioral Health matters.
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What is High-Functioning Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Let’s begin with the fact that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a very common mental health condition. Almost anyone who has been through a traumatic experience can develop PTSD. However, what PTSD looks like symptomatically can vary from person to person.
As mentioned already, for those with high-functioning trauma disorders, such as well-known celebrities with PTSD, symptoms of the condition may be more hidden or inward-facing.
On the outside, you may function effectively or even thrive at work. You likely maintain interpersonal relationships fairly well and carry out personal hygiene and other self-care tasks.
Despite this, your nervous system may feel like it is constantly unraveling; like there’s always a looming threat and your anxiety is always on guard. Or, you may experience other PTSD symptoms that make daily life emotionally difficult and socializing a challenge, even if colleagues, friends, and others in your life don’t know it.
It is worth noting that people with C-PTSD or complex PTSD can also be high-functioning. C-PTSD comes from complex trauma, which can refer to any form of ongoing trauma. For example, survivors of childhood trauma (e.g., childhood abuse) may have C-PTSD.
A High-Functioning PTSD Self-Test
How do you know if you have high-functioning PTSD? It can be challenging to recognize. Here is a checklist of symptoms and experiences that could indicate high-functioning PTSD.
- I avoid negative emotions.
- I experience PTSD symptoms, like dissociation, intrusive thoughts, blaming myself, feelings of depression, emotional numbness, anxiety, or guilt. However, all or most people in my life would not expect that I am not happy.
- I have flashbacks, nightmares, or painful memories regarding my traumatic event(s).
- I frequently think about the traumatic event or person who harmed me.
- I engage in people-pleasing or work to the point of burnout (or feel like I am always approaching burnout).
- I have high anxiety levels, but I always or nearly always fulfill my obligations.
- I avoid reminders (e.g., people, places, things) of traumatic event(s).
- Often, I tell myself that my PTSD symptoms are “not that bad.”
- I experience hypervigilance or am easily startled.
- Often, I don’t feel present, but I pretend that I do.
- I have insomnia or other sleep disturbances.
- I feel exhausted, even if I keep it a secret.
- I am constantly in survival mode.
If a traumatic event occurred a long time ago, you may have felt this way for what feels like your entire life. Sometimes, it’s critical to step back and look at how your symptoms and triggers affect you.
Needing help for PTSD doesn’t mean that you are weak. There is no virtue in not getting help for trauma. The reality is that untreated PTSD comes with consequences, no matter how strong a person’s ability to navigate everyday life is.
The Consequences of High-Functioning PTSD
Sometimes, being high-functioning can be a trauma response in and of itself. Commonly, high-functioning trauma survivors have experiences where they felt like they had to “just keep going” in the past. There are a lot of possible reasons for this.
Maybe, you didn’t have the tools to identify and cope with trauma effectively when the event happened. Perhaps, you had to focus on survival. If it happened a long time ago, you might wonder why it can’t just stay in the past.
You may have learned to cope with the tools you have, but it doesn’t mean that PTSD symptoms don’t affect your body or brain. With that in mind, here are some of the possible consequences of high-functioning PTSD.
Physical Health Conditions or Symptoms
The physical stress of unresolved trauma can be extremely taxing, leading to symptoms like chronic pain, gastrointestinal distress, or fatigue. People with PTSD can be more prone to certain physical health conditions, like digestive disorders, TMJ/TMD, fibromyalgia, and cardiovascular problems.
Co-Occurring Mental Illness
Commonly, people with PTSD and C-PTSD also have one or more co-occurring mental health conditions. For example, you might have an eating disorder, substance use disorder, or an anxiety disorder. You may still perform well at work, school, at home, or in other areas of life.
Being High-Achieving and Busy
Many people with high-functioning PTSD face workaholism and related challenges. Thinking about the traumas you’ve faced could be too overwhelming, and you may cope by creating a busy schedule for yourself. People-pleasing and trouble saying “no” could also be the reason for your full schedule.
Trouble Truly Enjoying Life
You could have a successful career, friends, or other people who are close to you. Despite this, you may not feel truly present. Treatment can help people with PTSD experience positive emotions and feel more present in their daily lives.
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Why Get Treatment for High-Functioning PTSD?
People with high-functioning PTSD often have many strengths. With high-functioning PTSD, you might worry that, if you process your trauma and heal, you won’t maintain certain traits, like being high-achieving at work. This is not the case.
Instead, treatment for high-functioning PTSD can:
- Alleviate common PTSD symptoms, like nightmares, avoidance behaviors, negative emotions, and flashbacks or other re-experiencing symptoms.
- Reduce physical symptoms of trauma and associated health conditions, like GI distress, chronic pain, insomnia, and fatigue.
- Help you heal from co-occurring mental health concerns, like anxiety, substance abuse, and disordered eating or eating disorders.
- Increase positive feelings about yourself, others, and the world.
- Enjoy life experiences and interpersonal relationships.
- Help you feel more present and “alive.”
- Increase self-esteem or confidence.
- Build healthy coping strategies.
Some people with high-functioning PTSD already have a PTSD diagnosis. Others might not. Catalina Behavioral Health offers comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans. We’re here to help make healing happen, no matter how long you’ve experienced symptoms.
Get Support for High-Functioning PTSD at Catalina Today
Our programs offer comprehensive therapy for people with high-functioning PTSD and other mental health conditions. The treatment providers at Catalina Behavioral Health are trauma-informed and here to help you heal and create a sustainable, enjoyable life after trauma.
We offer everything from inpatient mental health and addiction treatment to flexible outpatient therapy programs.
To learn about your treatment options, book a tour, or verify your insurance coverage for care at Catalina Behavioral Health, call our admissions line today. Every call to Catalina Behavioral Health is 100% confidential and free of cost.
Many Forms of Insurance Accepted for Treatment
FAQs on Understanding High-Functioning PTSD
Can you be high-functioning and have PTSD?
Yes. Some people with PTSD seem like they have it “all together” and don’t struggle. While they may have impeccable work and social skills, their everyday life could be very difficult internally. Often, these are the people who have what’s sometimes called high-functioning PTSD.
High-functioning PTSD can mean that a person’s PTSD symptoms and challenges are less visible to others. It doesn’t mean that they’re less serious or that they aren’t there. The assumption that high-functioning people do not need help can be painful and leads to real consequences.
Lack of treatment can mean that a high-functioning person has serious emotional and physical symptoms that don’t get addressed. In reality, treating high-functioning PTSD is crucial. Treatment can give a survivor the future they deserve.
What’s the difference between PTSD and CPTSD?
A person can develop PTSD after any type of traumatic event. C-PTSD, on the other hand, stems from ongoing or repeated trauma.
References
- https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/cooccurring/ptsd_physical_health.asp#one
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9792336/
- https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/cooccurring/index.asp
