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Trauma & PTSD

What is trauma?

Emotional and psychological trauma is a response to a distressing event or situation that breaks your sense of security. Traumatic experiences often involve a direct threat to life or safety, but anything that leaves you feeling overwhelmed or isolated can result in trauma. While it’s common for most people to deal with fear and anxiety during and immediately after a traumatic event, everyone’s response is unique. While some people will naturally recover with time, others may continue to experience trauma and stress-related symptoms.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder that may develop in response to a traumatic event. The body responds to trauma by releasing adrenaline, the stress hormone that triggers “freeze or fawn” mode. That adrenaline stimulates the amygdala, the part of the brain that plays a significant role in emotions, behavior, and fear processing. This system overreacts with out-of-proportion fear responses to ordinary situations[i]. While the symptoms of traumatic stress and PTSD look similar immediately following the event, they progress differently. With PTSD, your mind stays in a state of psychological shock – instead of feeling a bit better each day, your symptoms stick with you and interfere with your normal functioning.

Did you know? 
PTSD affects over 12 million American adults (3.7% of the adult population) in any given year. [NIH]

What are PTSD symptoms?

There are three main types of symptoms[ii]:

  • Re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive flashbacks and/or nightmares

  • Emotional numbness and avoidance of places, people, and activities that remind you of the trauma

  • Heightened arousal – trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, feeling jumpy, irritability

 

Causes

 

You can develop post-traumatic stress disorder when you go through, see or learn about an event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual assault.

Healthcare professionals aren't sure why some people get PTSD. As with most mental health problems, a mix of factors probably causes it, including:

  • Extremely stressful experiences, as well as the amount and severity of trauma you've gone through in your life.

  • Inherited mental health risks, such as a family history of anxiety and depression.

  • Inherited features of your personality — often called your temperament.

  • The way your brain regulates the chemicals and hormones your body releases in response to stress.

 

Risk Factors

People of all ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. And you may be more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event if you:

  • Have severe or long-lasting traumatic experiences.

  • Were physically injured during the traumatic event.

  • Have been exposed to other trauma earlier in life, such as childhood abuse.

  • Have a job that exposes you to traumatic events, such as being in the military or being a first responder such as vicarious trauma.

  • Have other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.

  • Alcohol or substance abuse.

  • A limited support system.

  • Have relatives with mental health problems, including PTSD or depression.

 

If you need Support

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Text MHA to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor from Crisis Text Line. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

 

If you are in need of support, but not in crisis

Consider reaching out to a warmline. Warmlines offer a place to call when you just need to talk to someone. Speaking to someone on these calls is typically free, confidential, and run by people who understand what it’s like to struggle with mental health problems. Find a warmline at mhanational.org/warmlines.

At Wise Mind Counseling, PLLC

We are committed to helping you work successfully through complex mental health challenges such as Anxiety Disorders. We have a dedicated and experienced staff who can provide a wide range of therapeutic options to enable you to deal with challenges and live your best life. Reach out to us today for more information or a consultation.

Sources/Resources:

https://mhanational.org/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967

https://www.mhanational.org/understanding-trauma-and-ptsd

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