Our personalities are the essence of who we are and how we relate to others and the world around us. It’s a one-of-a-kind collection of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. However, if you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), your innate persona is deeply impacted. While it’s commonly accepted that our life experiences shape who we are, it’s vital to understand the complex ways PTSD can influence our personality.
Can PTSD cause personality disorder?
The impact of trauma on an individual is profound and can have long-term effects. One of the often overlooked aspects of trauma is its potential to alter personality traits–especially those considered stable over time. People with PTSD typically meet the criteria for co-occurring personality disorders.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of the mental health conditions commonly caused by past trauma. BPD also shares similar symptoms of PTSD, including emotional dysregulation and fear of abandonment. In fact, people with BPD typically suffer from complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). This mental disorder has the same symptoms as PTSD, but CPTSD results from experiencing long-term, chronic trauma, such as recurring child abuse or domestic violence. Treating BPD is very complex because it’s intertwined with PTSD, but it can be managed quite effectively with talk therapy and medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Can PTSD cause dissociative identity disorder?
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental illness in which an individual has two or more separate and distinct personas that control the person’s behavior, speech, actions, and thoughts at different times. When personalities switch, there will be gaps in memory. The identities are created as an extreme defense response to long-term, heinous trauma, such as sexual abuse. PTSD and DID commonly occur together but are two separate disorders that require intensive psychotherapy treatment.
Can PTSD change your personality type?
Research shows that people who develop PTSD experience distinct changes in brain functioning. After a traumatic event, risk factors for developing PTSD result in a dysregulated fear response and challenges with cognitive control. When faced with extreme stress, the human psyche can undergo significant changes in its effort to adapt and survive. This can lead to significant alterations to one’s “pre-trauma” personality type.
What is PTSD blackout?
Many people with PTSD experience blackouts. Blackouts are usually accompanied by memory loss, so you may not realize you’ve had one until someone tells you.
Blackout symptoms include:
- Conversation you don’t remember
- Losing track of time
- Feeling an unexpected adrenaline rush
- Waking up in an unexpected location
- Having gaps in memory
How can you tell if someone is dissociating?
A person who is dissociating may appear like they’re daydreaming, ignoring you, or spacing out. They can also exhibit a profound disconnection from conversations and their surroundings. The person may appear emotionally blank and detached from their “usual” self even when surrounded by loved ones.
Can PTSD make you act out of character?
Many people who suffer from PTSD, especially those who suffered child abuse, develop powerful defense mechanisms to process their trauma. When your PTSD is triggered, you can sometimes respond in an impulsive, aggressive, or sometimes violent manner. Family members and friends may be quite distressed at your dramatic personality shifts. With the support of a mental health professional, you can learn effective strategies to constructively process your traumatic experiences.
Does PTSD make you a different person?
The acute stage of PTSD can make you seem like a different person, and this is normal. Additionally, other conditions may develop, such as anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts, or panic disorder. Right after a trauma, almost every survivor will continue to think, sometimes obsessively, about what happened. The event will play in a continuous loop in your mind and often appear in dreams or nightmares.
Can PTSD cause personality changes?
Depending on the severity of trauma, PTSD causes substantial changes in personality. PTSD causes a person’s brain to get stuck in danger mode. For example, a person who was previously outgoing and cheerful might become withdrawn and despondent after experiencing a sexual assault. Studies show that the amygdala, the part of the brain that handles fear and emotion, is more active in people with PTSD. Even after the threat is removed, the body continues to emit stress signals, creating dramatic shifts in personality.
What are the unusual behaviors of PTSD?
A growing body of research shows that survivors of trauma engage in a number of unusual behaviors. These behaviors may lead to even more functional challenges, which can complicate the treatment of PTSD.
These behaviors may include:
- Eating disorders
- Promiscuous sexual behavior
- Agoraphobia
- Hoarding
- Kleptomania
- Non-suicidal self-injury
- Impulsive spending
Therapies for PTSD and Co-Occurring Disorders at Fifth Avenue Psychiatry
At Fifth Avenue Psychiatry, we provide evidence-based therapy for PTSD in a private and confidential space without disrupting our clients’ professional lives. We are a team of highly trained psychologists and psychiatrists who are committed to providing the highest quality of care.
Call us today, and we will design a personalized program just for you.
