What is PTSD?
Trauma can affect the brain and body in profound ways. While many people experience a range of intense reactions immediately after a traumatic event, these feelings usually begin to improve over time. However, for some, the symptoms don’t go away, or they may even get worse, potentially leading to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, or through repeated exposure to distressing situations. It is a common condition, and it is important to know that PTSD is highly treatable. With professional support, you can process what happened and reclaim your sense of safety and peace.
Common Signs and Symptoms
PTSD is more than just a memory of a difficult time; it is a cycle of physical and emotional reactions that can feel out of your control. Symptoms generally fall into four categories:
1. Re-experiencing the Event:
- Unwanted, "intrusive" memories or vivid flashbacks
- Distressing dreams or nightmares
- Intense physical reactions, like a racing heart or sweating, when reminded of the trauma
2. Avoidance:
- Trying to stay away from people, places, or conversations that remind you of what happened
- Avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the event
3. Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood:
- Difficulty remembering key parts of the event
- Overwhelming feelings of fear, guilt, or shame
- Feeling detached from others or losing interest in things you once enjoyed
- Developing "stuck" beliefs, such as "I am ruined" or "the world is completely dangerous"
4. Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions:
- Feeling "on edge" or easily startled, also called hypervigilance
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Irritability or sudden outbursts of anger
Feeling Safe Again
Finding the Right Therapy for You
Therapy for PTSD is designed to help you safely re-process the trauma so it no longer holds the same power over your daily life. Because trauma is common, many therapy providers are trained in evidence-based trauma care:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): These help you identify and change the thought patterns and beliefs caused by a traumatic event.
- Prolonged Exposure (PE): This involves gradually and safely facing the memories or situations you’ve been avoiding to reduce their intensity.
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): This uses guided eye movements known as bilateral stimulation to help your brain process traumatic memories.
Exploring Specialized Support
- Medication Management: Sometimes, the physical symptoms of PTSD like extreme anxiety or inability to sleep make it hard to engage in therapy. If appropriate, finding a psychiatry provider may be useful. Medications like SSRIs or SNRIs can help balance brain chemistry to reduce certain symptoms while you work through the trauma in therapy.
Self-Care and Grounding Strategies
In addition to therapy, learning to ground yourself in the present moment can help when symptoms feel overwhelming:
- The "5-4-3-2-1" Technique: When you feel a flashback or panic rising, name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you can taste.
- Safe Physical Movement: Trauma is often held in the body. Gentle activities like yoga or walking can help you reconnect with your physical self in a safe way.
- Stick to a Routine: Creating a daily schedule can help signal to your brain that you are safe in the here and now.
PTSD in Children and Teens
Children may not always have the words to describe trauma. In younger people, PTSD often looks like:
- Behavioral Changes: New irritability, aggression, or social withdrawal.
- Play-Based Re-enactment: Acting out the traumatic event through play or drawings.
- Physical Complaints: Frequent nightmares or a persistent worry that the world is unsafe. Resources like the National Center for PTSD provide excellent guidance for supporting kids and teens through recovery.
Visit the Rula Blog for helpful strategies and resources for understanding and managing symptoms associated with PTSD.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). American Psychiatric Association Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
American Psychological Association. (2017). Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/ptsd.pdf
National Center for PTSD. (n.d.). PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/adult-sr/ptsd-checklist.asp
The JED Foundation. (n.d.). How are trauma, PTSD, and suicide linked? https://jedfoundation.org/resource/how-are-trauma-ptsd-and-suicide-linked/
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Identity and cultural dimensions. https://www.nami.org/your-journey/identity-and-cultural-dimensions/
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