Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Symptoms, Types and Treatment
Traumatic experiences can produce feelings of anxiety, depression, despair, hopelessness, reoccurring anger, self-blame, guilt, and shame, as well as sexual dysfunction, compulsive or aggressive behaviors, sleep disorders, and concentration problems.



On this page: Symptoms of PTSD | How do animal studies help us understand PTSD and its symptoms? | Consequences | Complex PTSD | Why people have different reactions | Diagnosis | Common Treatments | Therapies that treat PTSD by integrating cognitive, emotional and sensory/motor experience | References and resources | Related Helpguide articles

Bookmark E-mail Print
Signs, Symptoms & Causes
Coping with Stress
Job / Work Stress
Stress Relief
Burnout
Emotional Trauma
Emotional First Aid
Post-traumatic Stress
Coping with Disasters

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a medically recognized disorder that occurs in normal individuals under extremely stressful conditions. Its symptoms affect people from all walks of life, including soldiers, victims of natural disasters or serious accidents. PTSD can affect people who provide emergency services for others. Some individuals who survive a traumatic event are affected so strongly by the experience that they are unable to live normal lives.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?
There are four main types of PTSD symptoms. A diagnosis of PTSD requires the presence of all categories of symptomatic responses:

re-experiencing the trauma: flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories and exaggerated emotional and physical reactions to triggers that remind the person of the trauma.
emotional numbing: feeling detached, lack of emotions (especially positive ones), loss of interest in activities
avoidance: avoiding activities, people, or places that remind the person of the trauma
increased arousal: difficulty sleeping and concentrating, irritability, hypervigilance (being on guard), and exaggerated startle response.
How do animal studies help us understand PTSD and its symptoms?
There is increasing evidence that the symptoms of PTSD are abnormal responses to stress. According to trauma authority Dr. Peter Levine, traumatic symptoms are not caused by the dangerous event itself. These symptoms arise when residual energy from the event is not discharged from the body, but remains trapped in the nervous system where it can wreak havoc on our bodies and minds.

Levine observes that wild prey animals, though threatened routinely, are rarely traumatized. Animals in the wild utilize innate mechanisms to regulate and discharge the high levels of energy arousal associated with defensive survival behaviors. These mechanisms provide animals with a built-in ''immunity'' to trauma that enables them to return to normal in the aftermath of highly ''charged'' life-threatening experiences.

Although humans are born with virtually the same regulatory mechanisms as animals, the function of these instinctive systems is often overridden or inhibited. This restraint prevents the complete discharge of survival energies, and does not allow the nervous system to regain its equilibrium. From this perspective:

‘traumatic panic anxiety’ symptom occurs where normally varied and active defensive responses have been unsuccessful – when a situation, perceived as both dangerous and inescapable, results in a profound failure of innate defenses.
un-discharged “survival energy” remains “stuck” in the body and the nervous system – sympathetic and parasympathetic responses are concurrently activated, like brake and accelerator, working against each other.
symptoms of trauma result from the body's attempt to ''manage'' and contain this unused energy.
healing the symptoms of PTSD is accomplished by normalizing defense responses – by progressively re-establishing the pre-traumatic defensive and orienting responses that were in execution just prior to the initiation of immobility.
In summary, when the normal defensive resources fail to resolve the situation, terror- panic, rage and freezing occur. These emotional anxiety states are evoked when the feelings of danger-orientation and preparedness to flee are blocked or inhibited. It is this “thwarting” that results in freezing and anxiety-panic symptoms associated with PTSD.

What are the consequences of PTSD?
PTSD can have severe and long lasting effects on people's lives. Examples of outcomes of PTSD are:

Physiological outcomes

neurobiological changes (alterations in brainwave activity, in size of brain structures, and in functioning of processes such as memory and fear response)
psychophysiological changes (hyper-arousal of the sympathetic nervous system, increased startle, sleep disturbances, increased neurohormonal changes that result in heightened stress and increased depression)
physical complaints that are often treated symptomatically, rather than as indications of PTSD (headaches, stomach or digestive problems, immune system problems, asthma or breathing problems, dizziness, chest pain, chronic pain or fibromyalgia)
Psychological outcomes

depression (major depressive episodes, or pervasive depression)
other anxiety disorders (such as phobias, panic, and social anxiety)
conduct disorders
dissociation ("splitting off" from the present, and into parts of the self)
eating disorders
Social outcomes

interpersonal problems
low self esteem
alcohol and substance use
employment problems
homelessness
trouble with the law
Self-destructive behaviors

substance abuse
suicidal attempts
risky sexual behaviors leading to unplanned pregnancy or STDs, including HIV
reckless driving
self-injury
What is Complex PTSD?
Prolonged, extreme traumatic circumstances — such as childhood sexual abuse, prisoner of war camps, or long-term domestic violence — can cause a form of PTSD called Complex PTSD. As in PTSD, ordinary, healthy persons under severe circumstances can experience changes in how they adapt to stress and how they view themselves. A mental health diagnosis called Borderline Personality Disorder is also highly indicative of a history of trauma, and is increasingly viewed as a type of Complex PTSD.

Possible symptoms of Complex PTSD are:

severe behavioral difficulties (such as alcohol/drug abuse, aggression, eating disorders)
difficulty in controlling intense emotions (such as anger, panic, or depression)
other mental difficulties (such as amnesia or dissociation — a serious condition called Dissociative Identity Disorder, formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, which is characterized by "splitting off" parts of oneself).
Why do some people have stronger reactions than others to similar situations?
Anyone exposed to a severely traumatic experience is likely to have symptoms of post-traumatic stress. However, one person's symptoms may appear soon after the event, while another's may not surface for several months or maybe even for years. One person may have relatively minor difficulty adjusting and returning to a fairly normal state, with mild and occasional flare-ups, while another might be debilitated for years to come. Even if two people are exposed to the same situation at the same time, they will have different levels of reaction.

While there is no scientific way to predict or measure the potential effect of a traumatic event on different people, certain variables seem to have the most impact:

the extent to which the event was unexpected, uncontrollable, and inescapable
perceived extent of threat or danger, suffering, upset, terror, and fear
source of the trauma (human-caused is generally more difficult than event of nature)
sexual victimization, especially when a sense of betrayal is involved
actual or perceived responsibility
prior vulnerability factors (such as genetics, early onset and extent of childhood trauma)
negative social environment (shame, guilt, stigmatization)
lack of appropriate social or emotional support
concurrent stressful life events
How is PTSD diagnosed?
A diagnosis of PTSD is made when symptoms in the main clusters (re-experiencing, numbing, avoidance, and arousal) are present for an extended period and are interfering with normal life. The first step in getting treatment is getting a diagnosis. This can be difficult for a number of reasons:

symptoms may occur months or years after the traumatic event and may not be recognized as being related to the trauma
beliefs that people "should be able to get over it" or "shouldn't have such a reaction" or "should solve their own problems" may delay treatment being sought
guilt, blame, embarrassment or pain may interfere with a person seeking help
avoidance of anything associated with the trauma may result in an inability to recognize the need for treatment
How is PTSD commonly treated?
Symptoms of PTSD are commonly treated by:

Psychotherapy

Because PTSD has so strongly affected the brain itself, treatment often takes longer and progresses more slowly than with other types of anxiety disorders, and is most effective with a specialist in trauma recovery. It is most important to feel comfortable and safe with the therapist, so there is no additional fear or anxiety about the treatment itself. Depending on the extent of the symptoms, it may be more effective to see the therapist several times a week, if possible.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), often including exploring personal history as well as history of the event, challenging beliefs and thoughts that lead to distress, learning to recognize and manage "triggering" episodes, and exposure or desensitization (gradual re-introduction to the event that caused the trauma)
Psychotherapy may include relaxation techniques (deep breathing, muscle relaxation, positive imagery, meditation, neurofeedback, prayer, etc.) There are documented instances where relaxation was counterproductive—triggering rather than relieving symptoms. See Panic, Biology, and Reason: Giving the Body Its Due in the online resources below.
Psychotherapy may take place in a group setting.
Medications

anti-anxiety medications or anti-depressants to calm anxiety and stabilize mood while other self-care tools are learned
used most frequently in conjunction with standard psychotherapies
There are also newer effective approaches to healing PTSD that integrate cognitive, emotional and sensory motor experience.

What therapies treat PTSD symptoms by integrating cognitive, emotional and sensory/motor experience?
Noted trauma authority and author Bessel van der Kolk has written, "... re-living trauma often occurs in the form of physical sensations that precipitate emotions of terror and helplessness. Learning how to manage and release these physical sensations from trauma-based emotions is an essential aspect of the effective treatment of PTSD.”

There are now a number of schools of what has come to be known a somatic psychotherapy which utilize cognitive, emotional and sensory/motor experience to treat PTSD. These include:

EMDR therapy combines a somatic therapeutic approach with eye movements or other forms of rhythmical stimulation, such as hand taps or sounds that stimulate and integrate the left and right hemispheres of the brain. See Helpguide's EMDR Therapy: A Guide to Making An Informed Choice for more information and practitioner listings.
Somatic experiencing is a therapy developed by Peter Levine that incorporates observations of how animals treat themselves following traumatic events and focuses on restoring normality to the stress response. According to Levine, the symptoms of trauma result from highly activated incomplete biological response to threat. Wild animals have the ability to “shake off” this excess energy. By enabling humans to do the same, trauma can be healed. See Panic, Biology, and Reason: Giving the Body Its Due in the references & resources below for more information and practitioner listings.
References and resources for Post-traumatic stress disorder
What is PTSD? and Treatment of PTSD – Comprehensive website devoted to PTSD. (National Center for PTSD - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

Mental Health Impact of the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq – "The most troubling aspect of military-related PTSD is its chronic course. There is evidence that once veterans develop military-related PTSD their symptoms remain chronic across the lifespan and are resistant to treatments that have been shown to work with other forms of chronic PTSD." Article discusses the problem and importance of early intervention. (National Center for PTSD - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

PTSD – Comprehensive website created for veterans by veterans. (Brothers Bound By Honor)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – An overview of PTSD that includes data on the aftermath of September 11. The ADAA websites also offers a referral network of professional therapists. (Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA))

Trauma and PTSD – Information provided by Sidran, a nonprofit organization focusing on education, advocacy, and research to benefit people who are suffering from injuries of post-traumatic stress. Also included are extensive resources for those suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), the "splitting off" of parts of the self as a result of serious trauma. (Sidran)

What is PTSD? – Offers extensive information on causes, myths, symptoms, and resources for assistance. (PTSD Alliance)

Signs and Symptoms of Critical Incident Stress – Provides a list of physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms for EMTs and others who provide emergency services, who often do not recognize these symptoms in themselves—which can lead to burnout, substance use, and even suicide. (International Critical Incident Stress Foundation)

Panic, Biology, and Reason: Giving the Body Its Due (commercial site) – Explains the theoretical base of Peter Levine’s successful work with PTSD. Though a commercial site, it offers an excellent description of somatic theory and approaches to PTSD. The site also has a list of international practitioners. (Peter A. Levine, Ph.D.)

Brain Explorer - Focus on Brain Disorders - PTSD – Describes how PTSD does not involve the classical or normal stress response, but abnormal neurobiological processes. (Lundbeck Institute)

Practitioner's Registry – International listing of practitioners trained in Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing. (Foundation for Human Enrichment)

Preventing and Healing Stress Related Trauma in Children and Adults – A website for parents, adults with trauma issues and professionals devoted to understanding and healing trauma. (healingresources.info)

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Trauma – A description of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. (Pat Ogden, Ph.D. and Kekuni Minton, Ph.D.)

Nikko, Thanks for posting this. I can relate to so many things here. I have a PTSD dx, also. It is way to difficult for me to even begin to deal with these issues.

Anyway, it is an excellent article.

Hugs

Hamster

How long have you had PTSD? Is there something that you do for this?

I am just wondering, because it just happened to me after the final court date for my abusive husband.

Prior, or should I say right after the assault, I was dealing with bruised brain, post concussion syndrome, brain scans, mri. It happened in July.

Now this ...... PTSD.....I just wonder about treatment? Or how long this will last?

Hugs, Nikko

Nikko, I have probably had it for a long time. I was physically, mentally and sexuallly abused throughout my childhood. I was in abusive relationships, too. An incident happened last year and I had to quit working. I have been in therapy ever since.

Reading the article you posted brought such strong feelings to me. I wrote a lot after I read it. I wrote things that I am afraid to tell my therapist. Maybe I will be able to read it to him. So you have helped me so much by posting this.

I don't know how long it takes to get over PTSD. I don't have very high hopes for myself. I am on disability. I "feel" like I am happy with my life in general, even though I can rarely leave the house (only when I have to), and wear pj's all day. I am depressed and have been for years. I have really been in denial and felt nothing but contempt for any doctor who suggest that I was. I have finally accepted it, though. I don't even hope to function like "normal" people do. I am content in my isolation.

I know that I am ill and have a lot of things to work on (like I spend all day and night in my computer chair). I don't go to sleep in my bed. I just doze in and out all day and night. But I feel okay with my life. It is a very odd thing, really.

I don't know how long it takes to get well or to be able to trust again, or to be able to want to face the world.

So, I really have no answers for you. You've been thru ****. I find it interesting that you had brain trauma and injuries. I have 4 lesions on my brain. The doctors don't know why they are there or what caused them. My therapist said that anytime something like this happens to the brain, there must be some sort of effect. He wanted to send me for neuropsych testing but my insurance would not approve it.

I just don't really know how long this will take. My therapist tried hynosis and he tried something else - can't remember what it's called. But you visually follow red dots on a board and he guides you into a state that will help some people dig deep and deal with the traumas and PTSD. He didn't feel like either of these methods worked for me, at least not at this time. So we just talk. My pdoc deals with my meds. They have helped quite a bit, Lamictal and Seroquel.

Everybody is different in their abuse and therapy, I think, so there are no real answers to these questions. None that I am aware of, anyway. I have made huge progress in the past year, though, compared to where I was then.

I was in therapy on and off for about 8 or 10 years in my 20's, also - that probably helped get me this far. I just finally broke down.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Hugs

Hamster

I am glad that the article helped you, I didn't want to bring up bad memories or feelings for anyone.

I will bump up the other article from Psych Central which is pretty good.


Hugs, Nikko

p.s. Thanks for the info you answered me back on, I appreciate it.

P.S. I too am on SSDI, besides the BP II I have a 2 level fusion in my c-spine (neck) and a plate and screws.

I also have been in and out of therapy most of my life for one reason or another.

Hugs, Nikko