Trauma comes in many forms. Natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes can certainly be difficult life-altering events. Being diagnosed with a chronic condition or terminal illness can be incredibly distressing as well. But research shows that human-caused trauma such as violent altercations, physical or sexual abuse, bullying, neglect or acts of terrorism or war usually have the greatest psychological impact and the longest-lasting traumatic effects.
Such impact and effects can have a range of outcomes. For instance, especially shocking or distressing trauma can directly affect our relationships, career and feelings of self-worth. Trauma can also greatly affect our mental health and lead to diagnoses such as social anxiety, depression, acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
Here’s what PTSD is, what causes it and how it’s usually treated.
What does PTSD mean?
PTSD is a psychiatric condition that can affect anyone at any age and is usually tied to a person who has witnessed or experienced a traumatic event or series of traumatic events. While trauma impacts every person differently, “PTSD affects millions of people worldwide and is more common than many realize,” says Amber McGregor, a doctor of education who helps patients with PTSD and the clinical director of 1st Priority Institute for Better Living in Colorado. Indeed, some 6% of the U.S. population will have PTSD at some point in their life, per the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Such people can experience a range of symptoms that often start within the first three months after a traumatic event, though sometimes won’t manifest until years later. “The after-effect of trauma can impact the mind, body and emotions in different ways and can make it difficult for someone who has experienced the trauma to feel safe or at ease, even long after the event has ended,” says Amanda Darnley, a psychologist based in Philadelphia who treats people with PTSD. To become diagnosed with PTSD, a person must have symptoms for longer than a month, and the symptoms must be severe enough to interfere with aspects of everyday life, per the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
PTSD symptoms commonly include intrusive thoughts and memories, distressing dreams or nightmares, upsetting flashbacks, avoidance of places and people that are reminiscent of a person or event, being easily startled, difficulty sleeping and concentration, irritability and aggressive behavior and feeling socially detached, numb or emotionally withdrawn from family and friends.
Such symptoms “can range from mild interference in daily life to severe and debilitating distress — depending on the person and the intensity or duration of the trauma they experienced,” says Jimmy Noorlander, LCSW, a clinical social worker at Deseret Counseling in Utah.
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What causes PTSD?
Any number of traumatic events can cause PTSD. These may include experiencing trauma in the form of firsthand abuse, sexual assault, military combat or being in a car accident, says Darnley. But witnessing abuse or scenes of trauma such as graphic violence or scenes of warfare, terrorism or death can also cause PTSD. Sometimes even learning that a relative or close friend has experienced severe trauma can cause PTSD in the person learning of the event, per the NIMH. “Really any overwhelming experience that shakes a person’s sense of safety and control can lead to the development of PTSD,” says Noorlander.
At the same time, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notes that most people who experience a traumatic event, will not develop PTSD. “Everyone processes trauma differently and some people are certainly more likely to develop PTSD than others,” says Darnley. “Factors like personal reliance, social support and a mental health history can influence how someone responds to traumatic events.”
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How is PTSD commonly treated?
Regardless of what’s caused PTSD to develop, the condition is commonly treated through various forms of psychotherapy. “Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is specifically a trauma-focused therapy,” says McGregor.
Noorlander says that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also be very useful in treating trauma and helping the person process and heal from the traumatic event. “Prolonged exposure therapy and narrative exposure therapy are also commonly recommended for treating PTSD,” says Darnley.
In addition to psychotherapies, she adds that social support, breathing techniques, relaxation strategies and physical exercise can also be helpful in reducing symptoms associated with PTSD. “And medication that treats PTSD symptoms can be recommended in some cases,” adds McGregor.
“With the right support,” says Noorlander, “many people with PTSD are able to recover or manage their symptoms and go on to lead meaningful, productive and joyful lives.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is PTSD?
