Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Trauma is an emotional response to a terrifying, shocking, or dangerous event. While experiencing fear is a natural part of the body’s “fight-or-flight” response in such situations, trauma can linger and cause significant problems in daily life.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to trauma. People with PTSD have intense and disturbing thoughts and feelings related to the experience that last long after the event has ended.
Here’s a breakdown of trauma and PTSD in more detail:
Trauma
- Can be caused by a single event (e.g., car accident, assault) or repeated events (e.g., childhood abuse, domestic violence)
- Symptoms can include:
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Anger
- Guilt
- Shame
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Flashbacks (vivid memories of the traumatic event)
- Nightmares
PTSD
- Develops in some people who experience trauma
- Symptoms can include all of the symptoms of trauma, plus:
- Intrusive thoughts and memories about the trauma
- Avoiding situations or reminders of the trauma
- Feeling emotionally numb or detached from others
- Feeling on edge or hypervigilant
- Difficulty controlling anger
- Self-destructive behavior
Important Points
- Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD.
- Symptoms of PTSD can begin shortly after the trauma or may not appear for months or even years.
- PTSD can be effectively treated with therapy and medication.
For more information or to schedule a TOVA test, please contact our clinic today.