Trauma and PTSD

Trauma and PTSD: Effects, Symptoms, and Treatment

For most people, stress is just a part of everyday life. We feel stress throughout the day in various situations. Our stress levels may climb while stuck in traffic, having a difficult conversation, worrying about finances, or in other instances.

In most situations, people can use coping methods to manage stress and continue functioning. However, some events are so frightening or stressful that they can leave a lasting impact on a person’s mental health.

Trauma occurs when an experience is so distressing that it overwhelms a person’s coping ability. Sometimes, the effects of trauma can last for months or even years after the event is over. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition. This condition causes lingering trauma responses related to a distressing event.

This article will explore trauma and PTSD. You will learn:

• What trauma is and how it occurs
• How to recognize PTSD
• How to treat trauma and PTSD
• Where to find effective treatment for trauma and PTSD

If you or someone you love lives with trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder, you are not alone. Palm City Wellness offers effective, holistic treatment and support. Getting the help you need will allow you to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Reach out with questions or to schedule an intake appointment.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is an emotional response that can occur after someone experiences a distressing or frightening event. Some examples of traumatic situations include:

• Sustaining a severe injury
• Experiencing the death of a loved one or close friend
• Being the victim of a crime
• A serious car accident
• Living in a war zone
• Being the victim of a physical or sexual assault
• Experiencing or witnessing violence
• Experiencing childhood abuse or neglect
• Surviving a natural disaster (fire, earthquake, hurricane, etc.)

Any intensely stressful or life-threatening event has the potential to be a traumatic experience. Traumatic events can be single instances or prolonged exposure to frightening or stressful situations.

Trauma causes physical, behavioral, and psychological symptoms. People may experience:

• Pain without a clear source
• Nausea
• Mood swings
• Relationship strain
• Depression
• Anxiety

The symptoms of trauma can interfere with a person’s functioning. People may experience symptoms of trauma immediately after the distressing event. However, some won’t exhibit symptoms for days, weeks, or months afterward.

People’s trauma symptoms can change over time. Symptoms can come and go. Each person has their own experience with trauma. There is no “normal” way to process this emotional response.

Treatment can help people process and manage their thoughts and feelings. Effective treatment programs typically include talk and behavioral therapies, medications, and lifestyle changes.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition. It can cause disruptive symptoms that impact quality of life and functioning. People may develop PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event.

Mental health experts have identified four types of symptoms of PTSD. They are:

• Intrusive memories
• Avoidance
• Negative thoughts and mood
• Changes in emotional and physical reactions

Here is an overview of trauma and PTSD symptoms.

Intrusive memories

• Intrusive memory symptoms include:
• Having flashbacks of the traumatic event
• Experiencing frequent, distressing memories of the traumatic event
• Experiencing intense distress in response to things that remind you of the traumatic event
• Having nightmares about the traumatic event

Experiencing intrusive memories of the traumatic event can be highly distressing and may impact functioning.

Avoidance

Symptoms of avoidance include:

• Refusing to think or talk about the traumatic event
• Staying away from places, activities, or people that remind you of the traumatic event

Avoidance symptoms can impact people’s daily functioning.

Negative thoughts and mood

PTSD can change a person’s mood and thoughts. Symptoms include:

• Feeling hopeless about the future
• Having negative thoughts about yourself, the world, or others
• Feeling detached from loved ones
• Feelings of numbness
• Difficulty experiencing pleasure or happiness
• Experiencing memory problems, including forgetting details about the traumatic event

People with PTSD may find it challenging to maintain healthy relationships with others. They may experience low self-confidence and self-worth. They may also have other symptoms of depression.

Changes in emotional and physical reactions

Symptoms can include:

• Being easily startled
• Experiencing guilt and shame
• Engaging in self-destructive behaviors, including driving dangerously, having unprotected sex, or abusing drugs and alcohol
• Having outbursts of anger or aggression
• Feeling overly alert or “on guard” all the time

A person’s PTSD symptoms may change over time. People may have more symptoms when facing triggers or during times of elevated stress.

People with PTSD must receive tailored, comprehensive treatment to help them manage their symptoms. Treatment can help people develop healthy coping strategies that can help them improve functioning and quality of life.

How to Treat Trauma and PTSD

People with PTSD can find relief from disruptive, distressing symptoms. Working with experienced, trauma-informed mental health professionals can help people manage this condition.

Treatment for PTSD includes talk therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes. Here is an overview of the therapies used to treat PTSD.

Therapies

There are several therapies common in the treatment of PTSD. They include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Trauma-focused CBT
• Cognitive processing therapy
• Prolonged exposure therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

These therapies can help people understand and process their traumatic experiences differently. They also give people tools to use when they are experiencing symptoms.

Medications for PTSD

Some mental health experts prescribe medications to help people manage the symptoms of PTSD. Some common PTSD medications include:

• Antidepressants
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Beta-blockers
• Antipsychotics

Before starting treatment, your doctor or mental health professional will evaluate your needs. Your treatment team will determine which treatments will be most effective for your type of PTSD and symptoms.

Find Treatment Now

If you or someone you love lives with trauma or PTSD, you are not alone. Contact the Palm City Wellness specialists to explore our holistic treatment and recovery support programs.

References:

1. American Psychological Association (APA): Trauma
2. Wiley Online Library: Post-traumatic stress disorder: a state-of-the-art review of evidence and challenges
3. The American Journal of Medicine: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Clinical Features, Pathophysiology, and Treatment
4. Americal Psychological Association (APA): PTSD Treatments