PTSD is a mental health condition marked by flashbacks, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about a terrifying event.
Post-traumatic stress disorder generally occurs as a result of an individual experiencing a severely traumatic, distressing, or catastrophic event.
An estimated 8% of people in the United States experience some form of PTSD in their lives.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include:
- hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”);
- upsetting memories of the event;
- reckless behavior;
- feeling like the event is happening again;
- self-destructive behavior;
- feeling jumpy;
- frequent nightmares;
- feelings of distress when reminded of the event;
- angry outbursts;
- intense physical reactions to reminders of the trauma;
- avoiding activities that remind you of the trauma;
- insomnia (sleep problems);
- a sense of a limited future;
- feeling detached from others;
- a loss of interest in life in general;
- inability to remember important aspects of the event.
Note – while most people eventually adjust to the aftereffects of a traumatic event, some individuals find their symptoms getting worse with time.
There are things you can do that may help you cope with a trauma, including:
- staying away from alcohol and drugs;
- seeking social support;
- talking about it early;
- talking to your community;
- practicing mindfulness meditation;
- talking to family and friends;
- regular physical exercise.
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List of Celebrities, Actors, and Other Famous People With PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder):
1) Whoopi Goldberg
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She is an award-winning actress, comedian, and human rights advocate.
Whoopi is also known for her daytime talk show called ”The View.”
Goldberg was diagnosed with PTSD after she witnessed a mid-air collision between two planes in 1978.
In addition, she has had a severe fear of flying ever since.
2) Ariana Grande
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She is a sitcom-star-turned-bona fine pop music sensation, best known for such hit songs as “Bang Bang,” “Problem,” and “Dangerous Woman.”
Ariana began her career as a soloist with several symphonies, like the South Florida Philharmonic.
Recently, she has spoken of experiencing PTSD in the wake of the suicide bomb attack on her Manchester Arena concert in May 2017 which killed 22 people.
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3) Monica Seles
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She was born on December 2, 1973, in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia.
Monica began playing tennis when she was 5 years old, under the tutelage of her father Karolj Seles.
On April 30, 1993, she was stabbed by a deranged Steffi Graf fan. In an interview she said:
“I was for so long in such a dark place. So unhappy. I thought after [stabbing] there was no way up, I didn’t know how to go up. I felt I was in a deep hole and getting deeper.”
It would be 2 years before she returned to the court.
4) Monica Lewinsky
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She is an American activist, fashion designer, television personality, and former White House intern.
In 2018, Monica revealed that she was diagnosed with PTSD following the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal.
She said that her post-traumatic stress disorder was caused by being “publicly outed and ostracised” as the affair unraveled in the courts and press.
5) Shia LaBeouf
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Shia is an American actor who won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in 2003 for his role as Louis in the series Even Stevens.
LaBeouf started his career by doing stand-up comedy around places in his neighborhood, like – coffee clubs.
During his childhood, he witnessed his mother being raped by a man the authorities were never able to bring to justice.
He also explained when he was ”about ten” he heard his mother being attacked and ”froze.”
6) Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
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Noted for her elegance and style, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, better known by the name Jackie, was the wife of John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the US.
After John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, Jacqueline moved to New York City and in 1968, she married Aristotle Onassis who at that time was the world’s richest and most famous man.
Looking at letters to friends and other behaviors, biographer Barbara Leaming theorizes that Jackie had undiagnosed PTSD after her husband died.
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7) Gabrielle Union
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She is an American activist, actress, and author who began her career in the 1990s, appearing on a few television sitcoms.
“I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder at 19 after I was raped at gunpoint — and I didn’t let it stop me,” Gabrielle said in a homemade video.
8) Lady Gaga
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Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, Lady Gaga is an American singer and songwriter, who started working for Interscope Records when she was 20 years old.
Her best-known songs include ”Bad Romance” and “Judas.”
In an interview, she said – “I suffer from the post-traumatic stress disorder. I have never told anyone that before, so here we are. But the kindness that’s been shown to me by doctors as well as my family and my friends – it’s really saved my life.”
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9) Charlize Theron
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She is a South African-born actress who earned an Academy Award for best actress for her performance in Monster (2003).
In an attempt to save Charlize’s life, her mother – Gerda – fatally shot Charlize’s father.
The South African authorities did not charge her mother with any offense, but Charlize has PTSD since.
10) Alanis Morissette
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Alanis is a singer-songwriter who won 7 Grammy Awards. Furthermore, she has been nominated for 2 Golden Globes.
She also has released several groundbreaking albums that have sold over 60 million copies worldwide.
Her groundbreaking 1995 debut Jagged Little Pill created a big impact on fans, revealing a talented young artist with a challenging vision and an amazing voice.
Alanis said – “I still have post-traumatic stress disorder from the ‘Jagged Little Pill’ era. It was a profound violation. It felt like every millisecond I was attempting to set a boundary and say no and people were breaking into my hotel rooms and going through my suitcase and pulling my hair and jumping on my car.”
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11) Reese Witherspoon
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She is an American actress who appeared in a wide range of genres, however, Reese is perhaps best known for her romantic comedies, in which she frequently portrayed charming but determined characters.
At age 7, Witherspoon began modeling. This led to appearances on local television commercials as well as pace in a Ten-State Talent Fair.
In 2017, during a speech at Elle’s 24th Annual Women in Hollywood Celebration, Reese revealed that she has been a victim of sexual assault and harassment.
Moreover, Oprah Winfrey said – “And I remember Reese saying, ‘Oh god, this is just so upsetting. And someone mentions his name, I start tearing up. And every time I hear someone else speak, it just causes me to be upset and I haven’t slept in two days.'”
Featured image credit – Shutterstock
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