It’s natural to be afraid during and after traumatic events. However, most people recover naturally and relatively quickly. After a couple of days or weeks, they no longer experience the heightened fear related to the situation.

When fears and anxiety surrounding a traumatic event persist longer than “normal”, someone may be feeling the symptoms of Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Understanding PTSD and how it develops is helpful for those who suffer, particularly for those seeking treatment.

What is PTSD?

Originally, PTSD was only a diagnosis for those who experienced explicit danger to life, like war or natural disasters. However, our understanding of PTSD has changed over the years to include broader events.

PTSD is a condition in which a person has a difficult time recovering from witnessing or being a part of a traumatic event. It creates adverse symptoms that impede emotional, physical, social, and mental health. 

Symptoms of PTSD can be prevalent for a long time. A formal diagnosis for PTSD requires that symptoms last more than one month, and symptoms could likely dissipate then resurface years after the event or events.

It’s difficult to know how many people live with PTSD. Some may be unknowingly undiagnosed, or will never seek a diagnosis.

It’s estimated that 6% of people in the US will have PTSD at some point in their lives. Some of these individuals may eventually recover on their own, but the majority will never seek treatment.

What is Trauma?

Not all traumatic events will be the cause of PTSD. Some people may have a higher level of resilience and be able to cope with traumatic events easier than others.

Not all trauma involves an obvious threat to life. Trauma is any event that impacts an individual’s sense of control and ability to process the event. "Little t" traumas aren't life-threatening, but still impact our ability to cope. Things like the death of a loved one or divorce are still traumatic to many.

"Big T" traumas are those obvious threat to life events. They are easy to identify, while "little t" traumas might be less obvious.

As we grow in our understanding of trauma it's become more evident that trauma is different for every person. Events can affect everyone differently.

Types of PTSD

PTSD is used to describe the disorder that results from trauma. For the most part, any kind of trauma can result in PTSD.

While different traumas can cause similar PTSD presentations, abuse, especially childhood abuse, can result in a specific type of PTSD called complex PTSD (C-PTSD)

C-PTSD

Complex trauma stems from an extended period of time living through terrible events. We often think of trauma as an event or moment. While that is certainly true, it is also true that living through an extended period of abuse or neglect is traumatic.

Those with complex traumas may feel negative self-perceptions, have a hard time trusting, and have a vulnerability to addiction.

Read our full guide on complex trauma to learn more about its causes and effects.

PTSD Symptoms

Not all PTSD symptoms will be present at all times. Some symptoms may come and go, but they are, overall, life-altering and inhibit the individual from living a healthy life. 

There are four areas of identifiable symptoms. To receive a formal diagnosis, it is not necessary for someone to experience all of these symptoms.

Mental Symptoms

As it is a mental health disorder, most PTSD symptoms are psychological. This means that PTSD affects emotions, thoughts, and perceptions of their surroundings. These mental symptoms can in turn affect a person's behavior.

Re-experiencing Symptoms

The most typical symptom of PTSD is re-experiencing trauma responses. These can look different, but they’re characterized as intrusive memories. Surfacing at unwanted times, causing distress, and reminding you of the trauma.

These intrusive thoughts could be:

• Recurring unwelcome and upsetting memories of the traumatic event
• Reliving the traumatic event through flashbacks
• Distressing dreams and nightmares regarding the event
• Severe emotional distress toward memories when something reminds you of the traumatic event.

Avoidance Symptoms

The second area of symptoms is avoidance symptoms. These are extreme feelings that cause individuals to avoid certain activities, areas, or people that remind them of the traumatic event. 

Typically, these areas of avoidance exacerbate or activate symptoms causing a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response. 

Cognitive and Mood Symptoms

The final category of PTSD symptoms pertains to cognitive and mood changes and could include:

• Negative thoughts about oneself and the world
• Cognitive distortions
• Believing the future is hopeless
• Difficulty remembering things
• Difficulty maintaining relationships
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Losing interest in activities that used to be enjoyed

Physical Symptoms

The third area of symptoms encompasses the physical reactions and change in behavior that is typically seen in patients with PTSD.

Some of the physical symptoms of PTSD include:

• Startling easily
• Overwhelming guilt or shame
• Irritability
• Sleep trouble
• Trouble concentrating
• Self Destructive behaviors
• Always being on edge

Causes of PTSD

PTSD can develop at any age and traumatic events may not develop into PTSD until a later time. Child, teen, adult, it doesn’t matter, living through a traumatic event can develop into PTSD for anyone.

The development of PTSD is directly associated with exposure to trauma. This could be any event that caused terror or fear and could include witnessing something happen to someone else.

Does Anything Increase the Risk of PTSD?

Risk factors refer to any factors in someone’s life that could increase the risk of illness. While PTSD can develop at any age, these factors may increase someone’s risk of PTSD:

• Exposure to dangerous events and traumas, including combat
• Emotional Abuse
• Seeing another person hurt
• Additional stress after the event
• Having little or no existing support structures
• Childhood trauma including repeated changes in caretaker
• Long-term exposure to a traumatic event/events

Does Anything Decrease the Risk of PTSD?

Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD. These individuals may have a higher window of tolerance. These are what’s considered resilience factors:

• Practicing positive coping strategies
• Seeking out support from others like family and friends
• Having an ability to have confidence about your actions while in danger
• Responding effectively in spite of feeling fear

Having a good support system in place before traumatic events is a great way to decrease your risk of PTSD. Good friends can help us through a lot, but sometimes professional therapy is the way to go. If you’re looking for professional support feel free to reach out to Inner Balance Counseling. We’re here to help.

Effects of PTSD

Someone struggling with PTSD will more than likely feel effects on other areas of their mental and physical health. 

Below are some effects people with PTSD may feel in their daily lives. Some of these categories can also be considered comorbidities with a distinct diagnosis.

Effects on Relationships

People experiencing PTSD may have a hard time maintaining healthy relationships. For most living with unresolved trauma, being vulnerable is difficult. Past abuse or neglect may leave fearful feelings toward abandonment. 

Both fearful avoidant and dismissive avoidant attachment styles are typically developed in those who experienced complex trauma as a child. These attachment styles make it difficult to find meaning in connections and can create conflicting feelings toward close relationships. 

Maladaptive Behaviors

Maladaptive behaviors, or negative coping, are any behaviors that may seem to offer relief, but long term can cause great harm. Certain ways of dealing with stress can be dangerous. Some dangerous behaviors include driving too fast, seeking fights, over-eating, smoking, and substance abuse.

It is not uncommon for individuals living with PTSD to rely on substances to find temporary relief and comfort. While seeming useful for a time, prolonged drug use can lead to substance abuse and addiction. This correlates to a wide array of health concerns.

It’s important to seek relief in healthy ways. PTSD is a treatable disorder, with healthy ways to treat symptoms.

Accompanying Conditions

When PTSD is developed, other conditions may arise as well. 

Anxiety

Anxiety will often accompany PTSD as most symptoms involve feeling anxious. Although refuted by some, PTSD is understood to be an anxiety disorder by many.

Depression

Experiencing trauma makes individuals more likely to develop clinical depression. Depression is characterized by sadness, low levels of energy, self-loathing, and thoughts of death.

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the world, and can often lead to suicidal ideation. If you or a loved one is feeling suicidal, immediately call the 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

 Acute Stress Disorder

Acute stress disorder is very similar to PTSD in the sense that it develops after a traumatic event. The symptoms are similar including flashbacks, detachment from self, and avoidant behaviors. However, symptoms typically stop after a month.

Around 50% of those diagnosed with acute stress disorder will go on to experience PTSD. Treatments for acute stress disorder are similar to PTSD and help prevent symptoms from getting worse and developing into PTSD.

Adjustment Disorder

Those who have lived through a traumatic event or events may also develop adjustment disorders. This group of symptoms makes it extremely difficult to cope in certain situations. Strong reactions are typical for those with this disorder and it is not rare for a PTSD patient to have similar symptoms.

Attachment Disorders

Attachment disorders are typically seen in individuals who experience C-PTSD from childhood trauma. These disorders make it difficult for children to develop correctly. 

Signs of these disorders can typically be seen as early as the child's 1st birthday, and often cause challenges that, if untreated, could last a lifetime.

Living with PTSD

Though PTSD can be distressing, many people are able to manage their symptoms enough to live a healthy, happy life.

PTSD Attacks

A PTSD attack refers to when someone is triggered so that their PTSD symptoms are at their most severe. This often looks like a panic attack, but how an attack manifests depends on the person.

Living with PTSD means that you'll have an attack from time to time. However, understanding what your triggers are and how they affect you are the first steps in lessening the severity of your attacks.

How Long Does PTSD Last?

For many, PTSD is a life-long battle. However, with the right symptom management, the effects of PTSD can be resolved almost completely after months or years.

Can PTSD be Cured?

Like other mental health conditions, PTSD cannot be cured. A cure implies that the symptoms and effects are eradicated. While this is impossible, PTSD can be treated. This means that while symptoms may not 100% go away, they can be reduced to the point that they won't interfere with someone's life.

PTSD Treatments

Treatments for PTSD have been proven to effectively treat all forms of trauma-related disorders. There are a few methods often used simultaneously to treat PTSD as effectively as possible.

Therapies

Talk therapy has been around since the late 1800s. It's been proven effective for over 100 years. One staple version of talk therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is considered the “gold standard” of trauma therapy. Traumatic memories can be difficult to talk about and even remember. EMDR helps turn traumatic memories into “normal” memories.

Learn more about EMDR therapy and how it helps those with PTSD.

Other effective therapies for PTSD include:

• Cognitive processing therapy
• Prolonged exposure therapy
• Group Therapy

Medication

Pharmaceutical medication is also an effective form of treatment. Often doctors will prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). 

These neurotransmitters increase serotonin which has been seen to have a good influence on mood. However, they are not perfect for everyone. These medications require a tailored approach. Make sure to get a prescription from a practicing healthcare provider before trying SSRIs

Find Freedom at Inner Balance

Inner Balance counselors are experts in trauma treatment. Each counselor receives extensive training and treat clients with a trauma-informed approach

If you or a loved one is struggling with the effects of trauma, Inner Balance can help. Our nurturing staff is dedicated to finding solutions that work best for you. 

We offer in-person and online therapy. Help is just a consultation away. Reach out. Show up. Feel better.