Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as an accident, violence, or disaster.

PTSD is caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as violence, natural disasters, accidents, or combat.

Treatment often involves therapy, such as EMDR or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and may include medication to manage symptoms.

While there is no definitive cure, PTSD can be effectively managed with therapy, support, and coping strategies, allowing individuals to lead fulfilling lives.

PTSD Trauma: Navigating the Path to Healing and Resilience Now in 2024

PTSD / TRAUMA

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.

It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. Fear is a part of the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, which helps us avoid or respond to potential danger. People may experience a range of reactions after trauma, and most people recover from initial symptoms over time. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD.

What are the signs and symptoms of PTSD and Trauma Disorders?

To be diagnosed with PTSD, an adult must have all of the following for at least 1 month:

At least one re-experiencing symptom
At least one avoidance symptom
At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms
At least two cognition and mood symptoms

Re-experiencing symptoms include:

Experiencing flashbacks—reliving the traumatic event, including physical symptoms such as a racing heart or sweating
Having recurring memories or dreams related to the event
Having distressing thoughts
Experiencing physical signs of stress

Thoughts and feelings can trigger these symptoms, as can words, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event.

Avoidance symptoms include:

Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the traumatic experience
Avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the traumatic event

Avoidance symptoms may cause people to change their routines. For example, some people may avoid driving or riding in a car after a serious car accident.

Arousal and reactivity symptoms include:

Being easily startled
Feeling tense, on guard, or on edge
Having difficulty concentrating
Having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Feeling irritable and having angry or aggressive outbursts
Engaging in risky, reckless, or destructive behavior

Arousal symptoms are often constant. They can lead to feelings of stress and anger and may interfere with parts of daily life, such as sleeping, eating, or concentrating.

Cognition and mood symptoms include:

Having trouble remembering key features of the traumatic event
Having negative thoughts about oneself or the world
Having exaggerated feelings of blame directed toward oneself or others
Having ongoing negative emotions, such as fear, anger, guilt, or shame
Losing interest in enjoyable activities
Having feelings of social isolation
Having difficulty feeling positive emotions, such as happiness or satisfaction

Cognition and mood symptoms can begin or worsen after the traumatic event. They can lead a person to feel detached from friends or family members.

Children and teens can have extreme reactions to trauma, but some of their symptoms may not be the same as those seen in adults. In children younger than age 6, these symptoms can include:

Wetting the bed after having learned to use the toilet
Forgetting how to talk or being unable to talk
Acting out the scary event during playtime
Being unusually clingy with a parent or other adult

Older children and teens usually show symptoms more like those seen in adults. They also may develop disruptive, disrespectful, or destructive behaviors. Older children and teens may feel guilty for not preventing injury or deaths. They may also have thoughts of revenge.