Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that can develop after one experiences trauma. According to the National Center for PTSD, over 13 million adults struggle with the disorder yearly. 

PTSD can wreak havoc on one’s life—affecting their relationships, physical health, and daily functioning. Someone with untreated PTSD may feel trapped in a cycle of distressing trauma symptoms; however, there is hope. 

Understand what PTSD is, how to recognize the signs, and what the stages of recovery look like so you or a loved one can heal. 

Understanding The Basics of PTSD And Its Effects 

When one experiences trauma, it sends the body into survival mode, disrupting chemicals in the brain and pumping out the stress hormone cortisol in the body. If symptoms go untreated, this can develop into PTSD. 

About 1 in 3 people who experience severe trauma go on to develop PTSD. The Symptoms are not always easy to spot, manifesting as other mental health disorders or even chronic diseases. 

According to the DSM-5, patients must fall under more than one of the following categories of symptoms for at least a month to be diagnosed with PTSD: 

• Arousal & reactivity
  • Being easily startled
  • Tension or being on edge  
  • Self-destructive behavior  
  • Irritability or aggression 
  • Problems focusing
  • Trouble falling asleep 
• Re-experiencing
  • Physical signs of stress 
  • Flashbacks or nightmares
  • Intrusive thoughts or memories 
• Avoidance
  • Avoiding people, places, or things related to the trauma 
  • Avoiding memories of the event (sometimes this can look like dissociation or even substance abuse)
• Changes in cognition and mood
  • Isolation
  • Lack of motivation or pleasure 
  • Mood swings 
  • Low self-esteem
  • Guilt, shame or self-blame 
  • Depression 
  • Anxiety 

Stages of PTSD

As with most mental health disorders, there are stages of acceptance and acknowledgment that lead to recovery. There are typically five stages of PTSD (although everyone is different, some may feel there are fewer or more). Normally, they include:  

• The Impact Stage occurs right after the trauma. You may start to acknowledge what happened, and negative symptoms may begin to arise. It’s important to seek help during this stage to increase the chances of recovery success and prevent more severe symptoms from developing. 

• The Denial Stage is what it sounds like. You may deny the experience ever happening or numb the emotional pain of the trauma through denial or unhealthy coping skills such as substance abuse. 

• The Repetitive Stage is also known as the rescue stage. By facing the trauma head-on (e.g., visiting the place where the trauma occurred), you may relive your trauma and begin to process what you went through. 

• The Short-Term Recovery Stage is the first recovery stage of PTSD. This is when you officially accept help. You may have a plan created with a therapist to work on reducing stress and coping more positively.   

• The Long-Term Recovery Stage is when you can cope with any emotions or negative feelings caused by your trauma. It doesn’t mean you’re “cured”; symptoms can always arise if you are back in a triggering situation. But now you have the tools to manage them effectively and not let them control you.  

What Causes PTSD?

Traumatic experiences are an extreme fear response that can cause PTSD. Trauma is anything that puts the brain and body into overdrive. The National Insitute of Mental Health states PTSD is “an intense physical and emotional response to a traumatic event that can last for many weeks, months or years.” 

Although trauma and PTSD are related, they are not exactly the same. Trauma is the negative emotional response to an experience, while PTSD is a severe mental health disorder brought on by this trauma.  If trauma is treated early on, treatment can prevent symptoms from developing into PTSD. Some traumatic events that can lead to PTSD include: 

• School shootings
• Natural disasters
• Physica, sexual or emotional abuse
• Car accident
• Serving in war
• Living in a violent community
• Witnessing or experiencing domestic violence 
• Grief or sudden death of a loved one 
• Instability in the home (especially during childhood) 
• Living with a chronic disease 
• Severe medical injury

Does PTSD Last Forever? 

The idea of “curing” any mental health disorder is complex. Anyone who experiences trauma will carry that with them forever. However, with treatment, a solid support system, and a toolbox of positive coping skills—many patients find long-term healing from PTSD. 

There is always a chance of negative feelings arising, especially if you are in a situation that triggers underlying feelings of trauma. However, successful treatment will help you manage those feelings so it doesn’t cause distress or harm daily functioning. 

Factors That Affect How Long PTSD Lasts 

Experiencing and healing from PTSD is a deeply personal experience, and the timeline can look different for everyone. The most important part of improving symptoms is getting professional treatment; the earlier, the better. Various factors can impact the long-term effects of PTSD and the recovery time. These include: 

• The trauma goes unresolved, and you don’t process what you experienced or get help for symptoms. 
• You have ongoing stressors in your life that make it challenging to rest, relax, and process your trauma. 
• A lack of a support system and social isolation can increase the severity of PTSD symptoms. 
• If you get treatment that does not properly address the underlying root of your PTSD. Look for therapists or programs that are trauma-informed, such as EMDR or ART. 

PTSD Treatment in Utah 

It’s important to seek help from a mental health professional if you have experienced trauma and are struggling to function. 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 offer trauma therapies such as EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and trauma-focused CBT. Reach out to our Admissions team now.

Sources

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. 

Traumatic Events by the Numbers. National Center for PTSD. US Department of Veteran Affairs. 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. National Health Service.