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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that occurs after someone has experienced something traumatic. It was created to describe the effects of war on soldiers on the front line, but we learned that it happens no matter what kind of trauma you endure.
While PTSD is caused by trauma, not all trauma leads to PTSD. Why is that?
It’s not always easy to define trauma in a single sentence because it comes in so many shapes and sizes. At its core, a traumatic experience is something that threatens your wellbeing. It could be something life threatening like war, it could be an emotionally and mentally draining relationship, or it could be long-term like poverty.
There are different levels of trauma, often referred to as “Big T” and “little t” traumas. Big T refers to those life threatening events like war or other mass casualty events, violent crimes, and severe accidents. Little t traumas are things like attachment trauma and interpersonal conflict, harassment, neglect, or small accidents. Little t traumas are no less valid than Big T traumas. Any traumatic experience can lead to some level of PTSD.
We understand how diverse the effects of trauma can be, and how trauma is connected to other mental health concerns. Learn how we treat trauma and get you on your way to mental wellness.
The term “trauma” can describe something that happens to you, as well as the mental weight you carry because of it. Any traumatic experience can cause someone to feel shaken up afterward, and it can also lead to mental anguish for years if left unresolved.
PTSD is a result of trauma, but someone needs to meet a specific set of criteria in order to be diagnosed with it.
A PTSD diagnosis requires a person to show a number of symptoms that began after a traumatic event. The symptoms that most people associate with PTSD include flashbacks caused by triggers. However, PTSD symptoms go far beyond that:
Read our full guide on PTSD, including symptoms, causes, and risk factors
Unfortunately, there’s not always a guaranteed way to know if trauma will lead to PTSD. However, there are a few risk factors that can lead to a person’s likelihood to develop it.
Just like developing other mental health disorders like depression and anxiety, some people are more genetically predisposed to developing PTSD after trauma. Studies are also finding that women are more likely than men to develop PTSD after similar events.
It’s also important to note that even if you don’t get diagnosed with PTSD, you can still feel the mental and emotional effects of trauma that require counseling to resolve. You might even feel some symptoms of PTSD including flashbacks, emotional dysregulation, or avoidance behaviors—though not enough to meet the criteria of a diagnosis.
Whether you develop PTSD or not after a traumatic event says nothing about you as a person. Having PTSD doesn’t make you weak, and not developing it after a trauma doesn’t make you cold-hearted.
We know that you probably have questions about getting started. Our client care team is here to answer those questions, from verifying insurance to what each session may look like. Please read our frequently asked questions, or reach out to us directly at hello@innerbalanceaz.com
Whether you are diagnosed with PTSD or not, it’s important to talk to a counselor to navigate the trauma that happened to you. If it remains unaddressed, trauma can lead to strained relationships, other mental health disorders, and difficulty in everyday life. Trauma therapy can treat PTSD, prevent it, and help with other effects of trauma.
For decades, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) has been the gold standard of treating PTSD. EMDR allows you to “file away” traumatic memories in a way that they don’t cause distress.
Another common way to treat trauma is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) called cognitive processing therapy. It helps people connect their cognitions and their emotions. Trauma can affect how we view ourselves, others, and the world around us. Cognitive processing therapy helps you change your cognitions away from something untrue.
Learn more about the different types of trauma counseling and why they work.
The team at Inner Balance are trauma experts. We treat those in Mesa and Tempe who have experienced trauma and may be struggling with PTSD. All of our counselors are extensively trained in EMDR, and we have the experience and knowledge to call ourselves trauma-informed.
Reach out today and start writing the next chapter of your life.
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