Two common mental health disorders are Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Anxiety. Sometimes, it can be tricky to tell the difference between the two, as they can present with similar symptoms. PTSD can also lead to symptoms of anxiety, and it’s common to experience both at the same time.
However, some key differences exist in how they develop and are treated. Understand what anxiety is, what PTSD is, and how to tell if you are suffering from one of these mental health problems.
What Can Be Considered Trauma?
Trauma is a frightening, threatening, or dangerous experience that triggers an emotional response, sending the body into a state of survival mode. When this trauma goes unresolved, and the body stays in fight or flight, it can develop into PTSD.
PTSD is defined as “an intense physical & emotional response to a traumatic experience that lasts for a long period of time and impacts daily functioning.” The DSM-5 states that to meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, patients must experience one or more types of symptoms for more than a month:
- Avoidance
- Arousal
- Intrusive
- Cognition & Mood
When we hear the word PTSD, many of us think of veterans who served time in combat. This is a common cause of PTSD; however, not just military personnel can develop it. Several experiences can lead to PTSD. These include:
- Domestic violence or abuse
- Natural Disaster
- Victim of a severe accident or medical injury
- Victims of bullying or discrimination
- Living under political instability
- Community violence
- School shootings
- Serving in combat
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a stress response that serves as a role to protect and alert us to perceived threats. However, people with anxiety disorders experience these fear responses to situations that may have never happened or have no reason to occur. This is ongoing, sustained distress or fear of an emotional trigger. It often affects one’s ability to function, communicate properly, and manage relationships.
The causes of anxiety are complex, often a combination of biological factors, the environment, and life stressors. Some of the causes that can lead to anxiety include:
- Genetics or family history of anxiety
- Instability in the home
- Religious or cultural upbringing
- Victim of bullying
- Systemic racism or socioeconomic factors
- Being part of a marginalized community such as LGBTQ+
- Environmental problems and climate change
- Academic or work pressure
- Finances
- Medical issues or health problems
- Substance abuse
- Underlying trauma
There are also several types of anxiety disorders that can present with their own subset of symptoms or be triggered during different situations.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder is chronic anxiety about common, everyday occurrences. There is usually no specific or direct cause.
- Social Anxiety Disorder is an intense, overwhelming fear about social situations.
- Panic Disorder are frequent and intense panic attacks.
- Phobias are intense fears and anxiety around a specific thing (spiders, heights, medical injuries, etc.)
- Separation Anxiety: Intense fear of losing loved ones.
Differences Between PTSD and Anxiety Disorders
Although anxiety and PTSD can present with similar symptoms, there are key differences in how they are caused and treated. Also, some symptoms may present with one disorder and not another.
| PTSD vs Anxiety | PTSD | Anxiety |
| Causes | Traumatic events (school shootings, natural disasters, abuse, etc.) | Genetics, academic pressure, increased stress levels, life transitions, substance abuse-induced anxiety |
| Symptoms | Flashbacks or nightmares, sense of shame or guilt, being easily startled, self-destructive behavior, physical symptoms of stress | Fear, worry, tension, physical symptoms |
| Treatment | CBT, EMDR, accelerated resolution, DBT, Support groups | CBT, Art & music therapy, anti-anxiety medication, stress-reducing activities (yoga, massage, dance, etc.) |
Similarities Between Anxiety and Trauma
Although these are two separate disorders with key differences, they share several similarities in how they affect the stress response in the brain and body. Suffering from anxiety and experiencing trauma disrupts the stress response and can increase the rates of the hormone cortisol. Both can lead to physical symptoms of stress and cause chronic inflammation, increasing the risk of several chronic diseases.
It’s normal for people with both anxiety and trauma to feel a sense of danger, even if none is present. However, with anxiety, the intrusive thoughts, worry, and other symptoms are generally not tied to traumatic past experiences such as PTSD.
Trauma and Anxiety as Comorbid Condition
Trauma and anxiety are closely associated with each other. People who experience trauma stay in a heightened state of survival mode that can lead to symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. And people with already present anxiety can experience a traumatic experience that turns into PTSD.
It’s common for survivors of trauma to suffer from other psychiatric disorders as well. PTSD has a general comorbidity rate with other mental health problems of around 79% in women and 88% in men. Anxiety is one of the most common co-morbid psychiatric conditions that people with PTSD struggle with. According to the National Comorbidity Survey:
- 64% of those with PTSD also have anxiety
- 66% of those with anxiety also have PTSD
Trauma & Anxiety Treatment in Utah
It’s important to seek help from a mental health professional if you have experienced trauma or are struggling with symptoms of anxiety. Maple Mountain Mental Health & Wellness Center has a compassionate team of trauma-informed therapists who are here to provide comprehensive support.
We understand the complex nature of trauma and anxiety, offering evidence-based therapies to treat symptoms and reduce stress, such as EMDR, Accelerated Resolution, and trauma-focused CBT. Reach out to our admissions team today!
Sources
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health.
Chronic Stress Puts Your Health At Risk. Mayo Clinic.
Comorbidity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Anxiety: Prevalence and Risk Factors. National Comorbidity Survey.
