Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsOther Symptoms of PTSDDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Other Symptoms of PTSD
Diagnosis
Treatment
This article discusses the causes, symptoms, and treatment for hyperarousal that occurs with PTSD.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
Causes of Hyperarousal
As someone with PTSD goes through life, anything could remind them of the traumatic event(s) and cause symptoms.
Some possible examples that might cause yourstresslevels to spike include:
Triggering events like these can instantaneously create an inner state of hyperarousal.
Physiological symptoms of autonomic hyperarousal include:
Psychologically, hyperarousal is distressing and often makes people feel panicky or filled withanxiety. Even when there’s no real danger or threat, hyperarousal keeps the body and mind on high alert.
People with hyperarousal tend to be anxious and have trouble relaxing. Constantly being “on guard” and in a state ofhypervigilanceis draining. Hyperarousal’s ripple effects disrupt people’s ability to cope with day-to-day life.
Over time, PTSD-related triggering events can lead to dysregulation (dysfunctional management) of the autonomic nervous system’s stress response. Chronic hyperarousal develops as a result of the body’s built-in stress responses staying in hyperdrive and never quieting down.
Surges ofepinephrine(adrenaline) andnorepinephrine, both chemical messengers in thebrain, kickstart the body’s fight-or-flight response quickly, which often protects us from danger. However, chronically high levels can lead to hyperarousal in PTSD.
Symptoms of Hyperarousal
The “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5), the American Psychiatric Association’s handbook for diagnosing mental health conditions, highlights six symptom subcategories, or “clusters,” associated with hyperarousal:
In addition to these six subcategories,anxiety disorders, irritability, andpanic attacksare commonly associated with hyperarousal in PTSD.
Help Is AvailableIn extreme cases,PTSD symptoms may lead tosuicidal ideationor thoughts ofself-harm. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for help and support from a trained counselor. In emergencies, call911.
Help Is Available
In extreme cases,PTSD symptoms may lead tosuicidal ideationor thoughts ofself-harm. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for help and support from a trained counselor. In emergencies, call911.
Persons with PTSD can also experience symptoms that relate to re-experiencing the traumatic event or avoiding reminders of the event.
Re-experiencing symptoms include:
Avoidance symptoms include:
Additionally, persons with PTSD may also experience cognition and mood symptoms. They include:
Diagnosing PTSD
For an adult to be diagnosed with PTSD, they must have all of the following for at least one month:
If you are experiencing troublesome symptoms following a traumatic event, inform your healthcare provider right away. If necessary, they can refer you to mental health specialist for further assessment and treatment.
Hyperarousal treatment often requires a multi-pronged approach that might include a combination of psychotherapy, medication, device-basedneurotherapy, and lifestyle interventions, such as diet modification,mindfulnesstraining,meditation, or daily physical activity.
Specific examples include:
How Does “Belly Breathing” Calm Hyperarousal Symptoms?
Summary
Being in a constant state of arousal can disrupt daily life in several ways and make it difficult to sleep. This vicious cycle can snowball out of control if left untreated. Fortunately, there are numerous treatment options, including therapy, medication, and mind-body exercises.
To find a local PTSD support group in your area, reach out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) hotline at1-800-950-6264or contact yourlocal NAMI chapter.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is post-traumatic stress disorder?.Pan X, Kaminga AC, Wen SW, Liu A.Catecholamines in post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Mol Neurosci. 2018;11:450. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2018.00450American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596American Psychological Association.Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.NIH: National Institute of Mental Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.Lancaster CL, Teeters JB, Gros DF, Back SE.Posttraumatic stress disorder: overview of evidence-based assessment and treatment.J Clin Med. 2016;5(11). doi:10.3390/jcm5110105Bremner JD, Wittbrodt MT, Gurel NZ, et al.Transcutaneous cervical vagal nerve stimulation in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a pilot study of effects on PTSD symptoms and interleukin-6 response to stress.Journal of Affective Disorders Reports. 2021;6:100190. doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100190
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is post-traumatic stress disorder?.Pan X, Kaminga AC, Wen SW, Liu A.Catecholamines in post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Mol Neurosci. 2018;11:450. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2018.00450American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596American Psychological Association.Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.NIH: National Institute of Mental Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.Lancaster CL, Teeters JB, Gros DF, Back SE.Posttraumatic stress disorder: overview of evidence-based assessment and treatment.J Clin Med. 2016;5(11). doi:10.3390/jcm5110105Bremner JD, Wittbrodt MT, Gurel NZ, et al.Transcutaneous cervical vagal nerve stimulation in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a pilot study of effects on PTSD symptoms and interleukin-6 response to stress.Journal of Affective Disorders Reports. 2021;6:100190. doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100190
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychiatric Association.What is post-traumatic stress disorder?.Pan X, Kaminga AC, Wen SW, Liu A.Catecholamines in post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Mol Neurosci. 2018;11:450. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2018.00450American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596American Psychological Association.Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.NIH: National Institute of Mental Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.Lancaster CL, Teeters JB, Gros DF, Back SE.Posttraumatic stress disorder: overview of evidence-based assessment and treatment.J Clin Med. 2016;5(11). doi:10.3390/jcm5110105Bremner JD, Wittbrodt MT, Gurel NZ, et al.Transcutaneous cervical vagal nerve stimulation in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a pilot study of effects on PTSD symptoms and interleukin-6 response to stress.Journal of Affective Disorders Reports. 2021;6:100190. doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100190
American Psychiatric Association.What is post-traumatic stress disorder?.
Pan X, Kaminga AC, Wen SW, Liu A.Catecholamines in post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Mol Neurosci. 2018;11:450. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2018.00450
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
American Psychological Association.Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
NIH: National Institute of Mental Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.
Lancaster CL, Teeters JB, Gros DF, Back SE.Posttraumatic stress disorder: overview of evidence-based assessment and treatment.J Clin Med. 2016;5(11). doi:10.3390/jcm5110105
Bremner JD, Wittbrodt MT, Gurel NZ, et al.Transcutaneous cervical vagal nerve stimulation in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a pilot study of effects on PTSD symptoms and interleukin-6 response to stress.Journal of Affective Disorders Reports. 2021;6:100190. doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100190
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