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Even if you're struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it can be hard to get help. Busy schedules and distractions often get in the way of taking care of ourselves. This article explains what PTSD is and what happens when it goes untreated.
What are trauma and PTSD?
Trauma is a psychological reaction to an event that is deeply unpleasant or stressful. It can involved threats to one’s life or safety and happen without the person being psychologically equipped to handle the event.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a complex set of symptoms that can occur after experiencing a trauma. However, not everyone who has experienced a trauma later suffers from PTSD. Trauma and PTSD can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or background. PTSD affects 3.5% of American adults each year (American Psychiatric Association, 2024)
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How does untreated PTSD affect you?
Untreated PTSD can eventually lead to many problems including depression, anxiety, fatigue, addiction, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and gastrointestinal diseases. Half of those with addiction problems have underlying PTSD. Trauma reactions can also, tragically, lead to suicide.
It is also common for underlying PTSD to be missed in health care. When a psychiatry referral is finally made, waitlists can be months long.
Many people also avoid seeking help because they are afraid of the emotional discomfort involved in talking about the trauma. However, it is important to get help if you have been affected by trauma. At Lavendla, we have numerous therapists with short wait times and experience treating PTSD.
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Symptoms of trauma and PTSD
When someone experiences a frightening and unexpected event, they usually first have an acute stress reaction. This can feel like shock and include strong feelings of unreality that last for up to three days. Some people then experience an acute stress reaction that can last up to four weeks that include symptoms similar to PTSD such as difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, difficulties with routines and various physical symptoms such as heart palpitations. After four weeks, many people then begin to feel more like themselves and symptoms quickly go away. Others continue to suffer from symptoms of PTSD such as:
- Re-experiencing the trauma through nightmares or flashbacks
- Emotional numbness
- Greatly increased nervous system activity, which can include insomnia, irritability and exaggerated fear reactions
- Hypervigiliance and/or hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli
Many people with PTSD report a constant sense of danger or threat, even in safe environments, which can make everyday activities and relationships difficult.
Reasons for why a person does or doesn’t develop PTSD following a traumatic event is not well understood. Researchers believe that factors such as an individual’s temperament, mental health history, support system, problem-solving skills, and sense of self-worth all help predict whether someone will need additional help after a trauma.
Untreated PTSD in children
Because children have less well-developed language and cognitive skills than adults, they often react differently to trauma. They may show similar symptoms of anxiety, fear, tearfulness, irritability, tantrums, and sleeping, eating, or toileting problems. Children may become clingy, have difficulty being alone and act younger than they are. Older children may have more skills to describe what they are going through, but still need specialized care to help them through the trauma reaction.
Trauma symptoms such as trouble focusing can be similar to ADHD, so a thorough assessment is important. The earlier the child receives the right diagnosis and treatment, the better it is for the child’s development. With adequate therapy and supports, traumatized children can have healthy and happy lives.
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Treatment for PTSD
Once you enter treatment, your provider will administer a basic assessment of symptoms, which is done through diagnostic interviews and filling out assessment forms. This will determine the level of symptom severity and what type of trauma (acute versus complex) you are experiencing.
Recommended treatment methods for PTSD include cognitive processing therapy (CPT), cognitive therapy for PTSD, narrative exposure therapy and prolonged exposure therapy (PE). Written exposure therapy (WET) is a newer method that has also been shown to work well for PTSD. More than anything else, it’s important to find a therapist you feel comfortable with who has expertise treating your condition.
Some people with PTSD find medications such as anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs to be helpful in managing PTSD symptoms.
For children and adolescents, common forms of treatment supported by research and proven experience are trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, and psychodynamic parent-child therapy (CPP). Parents and other adults are also often involved in the treatment to create a sense of safety for the child.
Next steps
Dealing with PTSD or trauma can be a long and challenging process, but it is possible to feel better and regain control of your life. With us, you can easily get in touch with psychologists and therapists who can help you on your journey. Don’t hesitate to take the first step and seek help today. Together we can make the hard things easier.
12 common questions about PTSD and trauma
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a collection of troublesome physical and emotional symptoms that can develop after experiencing a traumatic event.
How does trauma occur?
Trauma usually occurs after a serious event that causes mental, emotional or physical harm. It can include anything from natural disasters and accidents to abuse, war or death. People can also be traumatized by witnessing or hearing about a traumatic event. How trauma occurs depends on a person’s age, mental and physical preparedness, and the duration of the threatening event.
What are the most common symptoms of PTSD?
The most common symptoms include reliving the traumatic event, avoidance behavior, increased vigilance, and negative changes in emotions and thoughts. These symptoms can be long-lasting and affect everyday life.
How is PTSD diagnosed?
Diagnosis of PTSD is carried out by licensed mental health professionals and often involves both self-report tests and clinical interviews.
Is there a cure for PTSD?
It is possible to recover from PTSD with evidence-based treatments. This means that your symptoms are reduced and you no longer meet the criteria for the diagnosis.
What are flashbacks?
Flashbacks are intense and often unpleasant re-experiences of the traumatic event. They may involve seeing, hearing or smelling something that reminds you of the traumatic event. This can happen automatically, i.e. there may be physical reactions or feelings of discomfort. Flashbacks are not dangerous and can be treated.
How does PTSD affect relationships?
PTSD can make it difficult to maintain close relationships due to symptoms such as isolation, irritability and lack of trust.
Why do many people have untreated PTSD?
It is common for underlying PTSD to be missed in health care. When a psychiatry referral is finally made, waitlists can be months long.
Many people also avoid seeking help because they are afraid of the emotional discomfort involved in talking about the trauma. However, it is important to get help if you have been affected by trauma. At Lavendla, we have numerous therapists with short wait times and experience treating PTSD.
What is the difference between acute stress reaction and PTSD?
Acute stress disorder occurs immediately after the traumatic event and lasts for a short period of time. If symptoms persist for more than a month, it can develop into PTSD.
What is untreated PTSD in children?
Because children have less well-developed language and cognitive skills than adults, they often react differently to trauma. They may show similar symptoms of anxiety, fear, tearfulness, irritability, tantrums, and sleeping, eating, or toileting problems. Children may become clingy, have difficulty being alone and act younger than they are. Older children may have more skills to describe what they are going through, but still need specialized care to help them through the trauma reaction.
What is complex trauma?
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that develops after experiencing repeated and prolonged traumatic events. People with CPTSD tend to have difficulties with self-organization that manifest themselves in negative self-perception, difficulties with emotion regulation and problems with interpersonal relationships.
How can I seek help?
You can seek help for PTSD from one of our licensed psychologists or therapists here at Lavendla by browsing their online profiles, finding a match, and booking your first online consultation.
How a psychologist treats trauma and PTSD
If you think you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD, it can be scary and confusing. It is important to seek professional help as soon as possible.
- Step 1: Assessment visit
The first step is to undergo an assessment visit with a therapist to determine if you have PTSD or other related conditions. You will fill out assessment forms and sometimes a diagnostic interview called CAPS is done to identify symptoms. - Step 2: Psychotherapy
Various forms of psychotherapy have been shown to be effective in treating PTSD. Recommended methods are cognitive processing therapy (CPT), cognitive therapy for PTSD, narrative exposure therapy and prolonged exposure therapy (PE). Written exposure therapy (WET) is a newer method that can also help. - Step 3: Pharmacological treatment
In some cases, medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs may be prescribed to help you manage your symptoms. - Step 4: Follow-up and adjustment
Regular follow-up with your healthcare provider is essential to adjust the treatment plan as you progress.
More support for CPTSD
In addition to therapy, people with CPTSD often need additional supports. Friends, family, support groups, and other social activities can be helpful in forming connections with others. It is also incredibly important to find activities that you enjoy and are meaningful to you.
Although therapy can feel uncomfortable or overwhelming, it gives you a safe place to express and explore your feelings, which can significantly help the recovery process. It takes strength to take the first step towards recovery.
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