Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops in some people after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While it’s natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation, those with PTSD continue to experience symptoms long after the danger has passed. These persistent symptoms can significantly impact daily life, relationships, and overall wellbeing.
Approximately 6-10% of people will experience PTSD at some point in their lifetime. Women are about twice as likely as men to develop this condition. With proper understanding and treatment, many people with PTSD can significantly reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. The condition was first recognized in war veterans but can result from any traumatic experience. Traumatic events that may lead to PTSD include:
- Combat exposure or military combat
- Physical or sexual assault
- Serious accidents, like car crashes
- Natural disasters
- Terrorist attacks
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Serious injury or life-threatening illness
- Witnessing death or violence
Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. Many factors influence whether someone will develop the disorder, including the severity and nature of the trauma, previous experiences, and biological factors like genes and brain function.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD symptoms typically begin within three months of the traumatic incident, but in some cases, they may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms cause significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships. They can also interfere with your ability to go about your normal daily tasks.
Intrusion Symptoms
- Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
- Flashbacks — reliving the trauma as if it were happening again
- Nightmares about the traumatic event
- Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to reminders of the trauma
Avoidance Symptoms
- Avoiding thinking or talking about the traumatic event
- Avoiding places, activities, or people that remind you of the traumatic event
- Trying to stay extremely busy to avoid thinking about the trauma
Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood
- Negative thoughts about yourself, other people, or the world
- Hopelessness about the future
- Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
- Difficulty maintaining close relationships
- Feeling detached from family and friends
- Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
- Feeling emotionally numb
Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions
- Being easily startled or frightened
- Always being on guard for danger
- Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Irritability, angry outbursts, or aggressive behavior
- Overwhelming guilt or shame
Experiencing PTSD Symptoms?
If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, professional support can help. Online therapy offers convenient access to mental health professionals specialized in trauma treatment.
PTSD in Children and Teens
Children and teenagers can also develop PTSD, but their symptoms may differ from those seen in adults. Young children may not understand or be able to express what they’re feeling, making diagnosis more challenging.
Signs of PTSD in Children Under 6
- Bedwetting after having learned to use the toilet
- Forgetting how to or being unable to talk
- Acting out the scary event during playtime
- Being unusually clingy with a parent or other adult
Signs of PTSD in Older Children and Teens
- Disruptive, disrespectful, or destructive behaviors
- Feelings of guilt or thoughts of revenge
- Depression or anxiety
- Feeling isolated or having trouble relating to friends
- Developing fears about death and other losses
Children with PTSD may be misdiagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) because the symptoms can appear similar. It’s important to have your child evaluated by a mental health professional who specializes in childhood trauma.
Risk Factors and Causes of PTSD
While anyone can develop PTSD after a traumatic event, certain factors may make some people more vulnerable than others. Understanding these risk factors can help identify those who might need additional support following trauma.
Risk Factors That May Increase Likelihood of PTSD
- Experiencing intense or long-lasting trauma
- Having experienced trauma earlier in life, especially during childhood
- Working in a job that increases exposure to traumatic events (military personnel, first responders)
- Having other mental health problems like depression or anxiety
- Having problems with substance use
- Lacking a good support system of family and friends
- Having blood relatives with mental health problems
Protective Factors That May Reduce Risk
- Seeking out support from others, including friends and family
- Finding a support group after a traumatic event
- Learning to feel good about your actions in the face of danger
- Having a positive coping strategy, or a way of getting through the bad event
- Being able to act and respond effectively despite feeling fear
Biological Factors in PTSD
Research shows that people with PTSD experience changes in brain structure and function. These include:
- Decreased size of the hippocampus (involved in memory and emotion regulation)
- Overactive amygdala (processes fear responses)
- Changes in stress hormone levels and neurotransmitter systems
- Alterations in the prefrontal cortex, which helps control emotional reactions
These biological changes help explain why people with PTSD experience heightened fear responses, intrusive memories, and difficulty regulating emotions.
Diagnosis of PTSD
Diagnosing PTSD involves a comprehensive assessment by a mental health professional. There’s no single test that can diagnose PTSD, but the process typically includes:
- A detailed psychological evaluation discussing your symptoms and the event that triggered them
- Comparison of your symptoms to the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
- Physical examination to check for medical problems that could be causing symptoms
- Assessment of how symptoms affect your daily functioning
To be diagnosed with PTSD, an adult must have all of the following for at least one 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
Additionally, these symptoms must cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Treatment Options for PTSD
Effective treatments for PTSD are available, and most people who receive appropriate care experience improvement in their symptoms. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication, or a combination of both.
Psychotherapy for PTSD
Several types of psychotherapy have proven effective for treating PTSD:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you identify and change negative thinking patterns related to the trauma. It includes techniques to help you face and control your fear and anxiety.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT helps you process and make sense of your traumatic experience. It focuses on challenging and modifying unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
This therapy gradually exposes you to trauma-related memories and situations that you’ve been avoiding. Through repeated exposure, you learn that these memories and situations aren’t dangerous.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR combines exposure therapy with guided eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation that can help you process traumatic memories.
Group Therapy
Sharing your experiences with others who have PTSD can help you connect with people who understand what you’re going through and learn coping strategies from one another.
Family Therapy
Since PTSD affects the whole family, family therapy can help loved ones understand what you’re going through and help you work through relationship problems together.
Start Your Healing Journey Today
Online therapy makes it easier than ever to connect with mental health professionals specialized in trauma treatment. Get matched with a therapist who can help you process your experiences and develop effective coping strategies.
Medication for PTSD
Several types of medications can help improve PTSD symptoms:
- Antidepressants – Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can help reduce anxiety, depression, and sleep problems
- Anti-anxiety medications – These may be prescribed for short-term use to relieve severe anxiety
- Prazosin – Sometimes prescribed specifically for sleep problems and nightmares related to PTSD
Self-Care Strategies
In addition to professional treatment, these self-care practices can support recovery:
- Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga
- Maintain a regular exercise routine
- Get enough sleep and maintain a consistent sleep schedule
- Avoid alcohol and drugs, which can worsen symptoms
- Eat a healthy diet
- Join a support group for people with PTSD
- Spend time with supportive people
- Learn about PTSD to understand your reactions
How to Support Someone with PTSD
If someone you care about has PTSD, your support can play a vital role in their recovery. Here are ways you can help:
Do's
- Learn about PTSD to understand what they’re going through
- Be patient and listen when they want to talk
- Offer to attend doctor appointments with them
- Plan enjoyable activities together
- Remind them that their reactions are normal responses to trauma
- Encourage them to follow their treatment plan
- Create a safe, stress-free environment
Don'ts
- Pressure them to talk about their trauma
- Invalidate their feelings or tell them to “get over it”
- Take their symptoms personally (like anger outbursts)
- Give ultimatums or make threats
- Make them feel weak for having PTSD
- Make decisions for them without their input
If someone with PTSD is in crisis or expressing thoughts of suicide, take immediate action:
- Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives
- Remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful items
- Listen without judgment
- In life-threatening situations, call 911
Recovery and Outlook
Recovery from PTSD is a personal journey that looks different for everyone. With proper treatment, many people experience significant improvement in their symptoms and quality of life.
Studies show that with treatment:
- About 30% of people eventually recover completely from PTSD
- About 40% continue to have some symptoms but experience significant improvement
- Some people find their symptoms naturally decrease over time, especially with strong social support
Recovery doesn’t necessarily mean forgetting the trauma or never experiencing symptoms again. Instead, it often means learning to manage symptoms effectively so they no longer interfere with daily life. Many people with PTSD also experience post-traumatic growth—positive psychological changes that occur as they work through their trauma.
“Recovery from PTSD doesn’t mean the trauma never existed. It means the trauma no longer controls your life.”
Finding Help for PTSD
If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms of PTSD, it’s important to reach out for professional help. With proper treatment, recovery is possible.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
Online therapy provides convenient, confidential access to mental health professionals specialized in trauma treatment. Connect with a therapist who can help you process your experiences and develop effective coping strategies.
Crisis Resources:
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1
- For life-threatening emergencies, call 911
Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. With the right support and treatment, you can work through trauma and reclaim your life.