Does Trauma Always Cause Ptsd
Traumas can lead to PTSD, but not always. Not everyone who has been through a trauma will have PTSD. In fact, most young people who go through trauma will not have PTSD.
But most will feel the effects of trauma. Its natural to react to a deeply stressful event. Most people will feel upset, have thoughts of the trauma, and other signs of distress. These may be called PTSD-like symptoms.
Most people do find ways to cope with what theyve been through. Some will get past trauma quickly on their own. It helps to have extra comfort and support from people in their lives. Therapy can also help. As people cope and adjust, their symptoms get better.
PTSD develops when a trauma overwhelms a persons ability to cope. The deep stress of trauma keeps the brains threat sensors too active. That makes it hard for the person to feel safe again. People with PTSD need extra help to move through the coping process. Therapy helps them do that.
Whether or not a person will have PTSD partly depends on:
- how severe the trauma was, or how harmful
- the help and support they get
- if they have a lot of other stress in their life
- if they have been through past trauma
- if they have depression or anxiety
- inherited risks like family history of depression andanxiety
After a trauma, a person may have PTSD-like symptoms that last for a short while, sometimes days or weeks. This may be called a stress reaction. Only if symptoms last longer than a month can it be diagnosed as PTSD.
Charities Supporting People Who Have Experienced A Traumatic Event
Cruse Bereavement Care a charity offering support for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland a charity promoting the well-being of bereaved people in Scotland
Rape Crisis there are three rape crisis charities that offer support to people across the UK:
Identify Early Warning Signs
Flashbacks and dissociation may feel unpredictable and uncontrollable. However, there are often some early signs that you may be slipping into a flashback or a dissociative state. For example, your surroundings may begin to look fuzzy or you may feel as though you’re losing touch with your surroundings, other people, or even yourself.
Flashbacks and dissociation are easier to cope with and prevent if you can catch them early on. Therefore, it’s important to try to increase your awareness of their early symptoms.
Next time you experience an episode, revisit what you were feeling and thinking just before the flashback or dissociation occurred. Try to identify as many early symptoms as possible. The more early warning signs you can come up with, the better able you will be to prevent future episodes.
Recommended Reading: Social Security Overpayment Phone Number
Get Enough Quality Sleep
After experiencing a traumatic event, you may find it difficult to sleep. Worries and fears may keep you up at night or disturbing dreams may trouble you. Since a lack of sleep places considerable stress on your mind and bodyand makes it more difficult to maintain your emotional balancegetting quality rest after a disaster is essential.
The following strategies can help improve your sleep:
- Go to sleep and get up at the same time each day.
- Avoid caffeine in the afternoon or evening and limit alcohol intake as it disrupts sleep.
- Do something relaxing before bed, like listening to soothing music, reading a book, or meditating.
- Make your bedroom as quiet, dark, and soothing as possible.
- Get regular exercisebut not too close to bedtime.
How Long Does Ptsd Last Probably Not Forever
The American Psychiatric Association , in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition , is optimistic about the prognosis, or expected outcome, of PTSD.
- About half of adults with PTSD fully recover within three months
- For others, PTSD lasts longer than three months but often less than one year
- For some, PTSD can last more than 12 months, and in a few cases, PTSD can last more than 50 years .
PTSD can last from several months to a year or more. How long PTSD will last for an individual depends on both the trauma and the person. Generally, time, treatment, and support help someone overcome PTSD. PTSD will very likely not last forever.
Read Also: Hotels Near Veterans Amphitheater Virginia Beach
Q How Long Does Ptsd Last
Answer By: John H. Krystal, M.D.
Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Professor of Translational Research and Professor of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience
Chair, Department of Psychiatry,
Chief of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Yale-New Haven Hospital
Director, Clinical Neuroscience Division, VA National Center for PTSD
Director: NIAAA Center for the Translational Neuroscience of Alcoholism
The length of time a person can experience post-traumatic stress disorder varies.
According to our diagnostic manual, one must have symptoms for at least one month following an event to receive a PTSD diagnosis. In some cases, particularly where it is not treated, PTSD can last a very long time, perhaps the remainder of ones life. Most people with longstanding PTSD find that the symptoms are not steady in their severity. For some people, PTSD symptoms gradually fade over time. Other people find that symptoms may increase when they encounter reminders of their traumatic events. Anniversaries of the event, for example, are commonly difficult times.
Check out this fascinating presentation by Dr. John Krystal on “Pharmacotherapy of PTSD”:
Emotional Symptoms Of Traumatic Stress Include:
Shock and disbelief. You have a hard time accepting the reality of what happened, or feel numb and disconnected from your feelings.
Fear. You worry that the same thing will happen again, or that youll lose control or break down.
Sadness or grief, especially if people you know died or suffered life-altering consequences.
Helplessness. The sudden, unpredictable nature of violent crime, accidents, pandemics, or natural disasters can leave you feeling vulnerable and helpless, and even trigger anxiety or depression.
Guilt that you survived when others died, or feeling that you could have done more to help.
Anger. You may be angry at God, governments, or others you feel are responsible, or be prone to emotional outbursts.
Shame, especially over feelings or fears that you cant control.
Relief. You may feel relieved that the worst is over, that you werent as badly affected as others, or even hopeful that your life will return to normal.
Recommended Reading: When Do The Disability Standards For Education Apply
What Are Residual Symptoms
Researchers still dont know a lot about residual symptoms of PTSD, because most of the literature focuses on active PTSD and treatment methods.
However, one thing is clear: residual symptoms are somewhat different from PTSD symptoms, which include distress, flashbacks, nightmares, and unpleasant memories about the traumatic experience.
Residual symptoms can be more gradual, though just as pervasive in day-to-day life. They may also appear well after PTSD treatment is over even months or years later blurring the lines between active and recovery states.
In one study, 59% of those who had been treated for PTSD reported subthreshold levels of symptoms. As in, not enough to warrant full-on treatment, yet not completely back to a normal baseline either.
In that same study, 1 in 3 participants reported clinical-level symptoms after treatment, meaning that further treatment would be a good idea.
Speak To Others That Have Experienced The Same Thing As You
It might help you to speak to other people who experienced the same traumatic event as you, or who have had similar experiences. However, people recover and react to the same events in different ways. Try not to compare your own recovery to someone elses. If you feel able to support others who have been affected by the event, then that can be helpful too.
You May Like: How To Apply For Temporary Disability
What Can I Do To Help Myself
It is important to know that, although it may take some time, you can get better with treatment. Here are some things you can do to help yourself:
- Talk with your health care provider about treatment options, and follow your treatment plan.
- Engage in exercise, mindfulness, or other activities that help reduce stress.
- Try to maintain routines for meals, exercise, and sleep.
- Set realistic goals and do what you can as you are able.
- Spend time with trusted friends or relatives, and tell them about things that may trigger symptoms.
- Expect your symptoms to improve gradually, not immediately.
- Avoid use of alcohol or drugs.
Ptsd Causes And Risk Factors
Everyone reacts to traumatic events differently. Each person is unique in their ability to manage fear, stress and the threat posed by a traumatic event or situation. For that reason, not everyone who has a trauma will develop PTSD. Also, the type of help and support a person receives from friends, family members, and professionals following the trauma may impact the development of PTSD or the severity of symptoms.
PTSD was first brought to the attention of the medical community by war veterans hence the names shell shock and battle fatigue syndrome. However, anyone who has had a traumatic event can develop PTSD. People who were abused as children or who have been repeatedly exposed to life-threatening situations are at risk for developing PTSD. Victims of trauma related to physical and sexual assault face the greatest risk for PTSD.
You may be more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event if you have a history of other mental health problems, have blood relatives with mental health problems, or have a history of alcohol or drug abuse.
How common is PTSD?
About 3.6% of adult Americans — about 5.2 million people — have PTSD during the course of a year, and an estimated 7.8 million Americans will develop PTSD at some point in their lives. PTSD can develop at any age, including childhood. Women are more likely to develop PTSD than men. This may be due to the fact that women are more likely to be victims of domestic violence, abuse, and rape.
Also Check: Do Pensions Affect Social Security Disability Payments
Making Sense Of The Traumatic Event
Once the distressing event is over, you may find yourself trying to make sense of the event. This can include thinking about how and why it happened, how and why you were involved, why you feel the way you do, whether feelings you are having indicate what kind of person you are, whether the experience has changed your view on life, and how.
How Can You Recognize Triggers
Some are obvious. Others are subtle. In fact, you may not realize something is a trigger until you have a reaction. It may seem like your PTSD symptoms come out of the blue. But theyâre usually caused by an unknown trigger.
Feeling as if youâre in danger is a sign that youâve experienced a PTSD trigger. A therapist can help you identify yours. They can also help you learn ways to cope.
Show Sources
You May Like: Best Jobs For Veterans With Ptsd
When To Get Medical Advice
It’s normal to experience upsetting and confusing thoughts after a traumatic event, but most people improve naturally over a few weeks.
You should see a GP if you or your child are still having problems about 4 weeks after the traumatic experience, or if the symptoms are particularly troublesome.
If necessary, your GP can refer you to mental health specialists for further assessment and treatment.
Ptsd: National Center For Ptsd
Available en Español
Posttraumatic stress disorder is a mental health problem. PTSD can only develop after you go through or see a life-threatening event. It’s normal to have stress reactions to these types of events, and most people start to feel better after a few weeks or months. Learn about PTSD symptoms and treatments to help you get better.
Reading time: minutes
It’s normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after a traumatic event . At first, it may be hard to do daily activities you are used to doing, like go to work, go to school, or spend time with people you care about. But most people start to feel better after a few weeks or months. For some people, PTSD symptoms may start later, or they may come and go over time.
If it’s been longer than a few months and thoughts and feelings from the trauma are upsetting you or causing problems in your life, you may have PTSD.
Video
How I Knew I Had PTSD
When you have PTSD, the world feels unsafe. You may have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping. You may also try to avoid things that remind you of your traumaeven things you used to enjoy.
Also Check: How To Get Disability For A Child With Adhd
Why Does It Happen
To understand the long-term impact of PTSD on the body, we have to recall what happens when an episode or flashback strikes.
As the limbic system kicks into high gear, your body experiences the fight, flight, or freeze response. A surge of stress hormones, like cortisol, rush through your body to prepare you for danger, whether real or imagined. If this occurs often enough, it creates a consistent state of hypervigilance.
Over the long term, this state leads to lasting changes in the brain, particularly in the amygdala, which deals with emotional regulation, and in the hippocampus, which is related to learning, processing, concentration, and memory.
Even with PTSD treatment, the effects of inflammation and
However, its unknown whether these medications will have any impact on residual symptoms of PTSD, as more research is needed.
Each person is unique, so each treatment plan will be tailored specifically for that individual. What works for one person might not work for another.
When you feel up to it, explain to your loved ones what youre experiencing. You can also try to incorporate as many healthy habits into your everyday routine as possible, including:
- eating a healthy diet of nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods
- spending time in nature preferably one hour a day
- exercising or getting some type of movement
- developing a meditation practice
Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Recovery takes time, but it is possible.
Stick To Your Routine
Try to keep to the routine you had before the traumatic event as much as you can, even if that feels difficult. After the event you might find that your eating and exercise habits change, and that you find it hard to sleep. Try to eat and exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. Take a look at our resource on sleeping well for more information.
You May Like: At& t Discounts For Veterans
Tip : Accept Your Feelings
Traumatic stress can cause you to experience all kinds of difficult and surprising emotions, including shock, anger, and guilt. These emotions are normal reactions to the loss of safety and security that comes in the wake of a disaster. Accepting these feelings and allowing yourself to feel what you feel, is necessary for healing.
How Can I Help Myself
If you have been through trauma, or think you might have PTSD, here are things you can do:
- Confide in an adult you trust. Reach out to someone who will listen and care. Its OK if you need extra time and support for a while. Pay it forward by being kind or helpful to someone else. Helping makes the helper feel good too.
- Get treatment for PTSD or trauma. This can help you cope with what you have been through. It can help you discover strengths you never knew you had. Your parent, doctor, or school counselor can help you find the right person to work with.
- Practice ways to relax. Make time every day to take a few slow breaths. If you can, make the exhale just a bit longer than the inhale. Try this: Breathe in while you count to 3. Breathe out while you count to 5. Take 34 breaths like this. It seems so simple. But it has a powerful benefit. It helps to reset the brains threat sensor. The benefit adds up, so practice it often.
- Do things that you enjoy. Trauma can make it harder to feel the positive emotions that naturally help you recharge. Play, laugh, enjoy nature, make music or art, cook. These activities can reduce stress, build your resilience. They even help you be a better learner when its time to focus.
- Know that you can do this. Believe in yourself. Everyone has the ability to adapt and grow, even with difficult challenges. It takes patience and effort. And there are people who will help you.
Read Also: Ptsd Hotline For Non Veterans
Healing And Recovery Process After Trauma
Any event that places a persons own life or the lives of others at risk results in the human body going into a state of heightened arousal. This is like an emergency mode that involves a series of internal alarms being turned on. Emergency mode gives people a lot of energy in a short period of time to maximise the chance of survival.
Most people only stay in emergency mode for a short period of time or until the immediate threat has passed, but sometimes people keep going into it afterwards when unexpected things happen. Being in emergency mode uses up vital energy supplies and this is why people often feel tired afterwards.
The normal healing and recovery process involves the body coming down out of heightened arousal. The internal alarms can turn off, the high levels of energy subside, and the body can re-set itself to a normal state of balance and equilibrium. Typically, this should occur within approximately one month of the event.