PTSD Poll/Question Results for Does having PTSD affect your verbal and non verbal communication?

PTSD Poll/Question Results for Does having PTSD affect your verbal and non verbal communication?

The results are now in for our latest PTSD Poll/question on whether verbal and non verbal communication is affected as a result of having PTSD.

Once again the Poll received a great response. This was an anonymous poll and I would like to thank everyone who took part :)

The results are as follows:

Verbal Communication

47.1% of those who took part, said Yes, their verbal communication was affected all the time, as a result of having PTSD

47.1% of those who took part, said Yes, when symptomatic, their verbal communication was affected, as a result of having PTSD

5.9% of those who took part, said they have never really noticed if their verbal communication was affected, as a result of having PTSD

Non-Verbal Communication

64.7% of those who took part, said Yes, their non verbal communication was affected all the time, as a result of having PTSD

23.5% of those who took part, said Yes, their non verbal communication was affected when symptomatic of suffering with PTSD

11.8% of those who took part, said they had never really noticed if their non verbal communication was affected as a result of having PTSD

Trauma survivors with PTSD may have difficulties in their relationships with others, and can often find problems with communication as a result of the symptoms of their PTSD. These problems may affect the way the survivor acts with others. In turn, the way a loved one responds to him or her affects the trauma survivor. A circular pattern can develop that may sometimes harm relationships.

Many survivors cant find the words to express what theyre feeling. Even when they do, its very normal for them not to be comfortable sharing their experience. Elements of shame, fear, anger, guilt and grief often get in the way of a calm, focused discussion. Survivor's due to fear, shame, feelings of guilt, anxiety etc may withdraw from others, find it difficult to communicate at times, be completely mute, unable to get their needs met, or may have extreme reactions of anger, rage, lashing out at others emotionally or even physically.

The following are examples of how someone with PTSD may struggle with communication and/or in their relationships

Even if a Survivor of PTSD is normally very articulate, when suffering the effects of PTSD they may find their communication shot to pieces - being unable to string sentances together, being unable to speak fluently, words becoming jumbled, saying the wrong things, losing the ability to even write down what they feel, struggling to put words together which make sense to the observer or listener. At times, the Survivor may be so overwhelmed with pain, fear, anxiety and panic, that they shut down completely and are unable to communicate. Some may find their lose their voice, don't have the energy to speak, and that if they do speak, if they do connect, they will find things so overwhelming that they wont cope and could die. Reliving trauma memories, avoiding trauma reminders, and struggling with fear and anger greatly interfere with a survivor's ability to concentrate, listen carefully, and make cooperative decisions and can all lead to a breakdown in their communication ability and skills.

PTSD affects a persons emotions, and recent research indicates that PTSD affects the ability to recognize facial expressions. The inability to recognize facial expressions is significant because factual knowledge that is associated with certain types of facial expressions is lost when the ability to recognize these is diminished. This can lead to serious misunderstandings, and miscommunications and subsequently could lead to further problems in a Survivors communication with others, and in their relationships.

The struggles Survivors of PTSD have with communication, can also often be seen in their non-verbal body language, where someone may appear to be distant and not focused, inability to give people eye contact, sat huddled up as though they were a small child, shaking and trembling, rocking to bring comfort to themselves, creating more physical distance between themselves and their friends and family, being jumpy and on edge.

A Survivor with PTSD may have a powerful sense of disconnection. They may feel locked within their own world, often reacting with a fight or flight response, which in turn may lead a Survivor to not be aware of how they may be coming across. They may find difficulty understanding other people's points of view, and find it hard to anticipate their reactions. People may not understand what the PTSD sufferer is saying. Communication may appear distant, broken, incomplete or fragmented.

A Survivor may be unable to create emotional connection, a rapport with others, due to being shut down, numb etc which can lead to communication falling apart very easily, or shutting down so much that they stop communicating altogether.

Lacking Assertiveness. Exhibiting PTSD symptoms of learned helplessness, shock, numbness, apathy may mean Survivors being revictimised and feeling used. Feeling helpless and powerless may lead to problems getting heard and getting needs met successfully.

Nervous System Activation – High Stress Condition in Brain and Body. A lot of Survivors of trauma, suffering with PTSD are extremely sensitive to the other persons tone of voice, and can pick up signs that perhaps someone is being rude, insensitive, angry, impatient and so on. This can often then lead to the Survivor shutting down and cutting off communication at the slightest thing.

Rage. Being prone to experience sudden, overwhelming rage (the fight response), whether expressed or repressed, may lead to the communication ending in a negative way – e.g. arguments, cutting off the person, leaving.

Those with PTSD often find it difficult to organise and process information. They may lose track of conversations, and need reminding of what was being talked about or become confused easily.

Lack of Concentration and Focus. Those with PTSD may get easily distracted by things whilst trying to communicate, may be affected by triggers, unwanted images and feelings. As a result communication can draw to a halt, or the Survivor may need to ask someone what they had just said, what was being talked about.

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