FAQ: Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the name given to a group of symptoms often experienced by survivors of traumatic events. As a set of symptoms, PTSD is distinct from, but related to, other anxiety maladies. As part of the anxiety spectrum, PTSD interferes with a person’s feelings of immediate safety and competence to control their environment and to keep themselves and others safe. In addition to personal safety, PTSD derives from a person’s desire to avoid memories of, or re-living the traumatic events. In some cases, other behavioral health considerations complicate the PTSD symptoms. For instance, survivor’s guilt, while not an integral component of PTSD, may be present in combat veterans, and mass casualty survivors. Sufferers of PTSD may or may not be aware of the causes of their behaviors that are problematic for themselves and those around them. Heightened reactivity, anger, edginess, withdrawal, depressed moods, and avoidance of circumstances and places that are reminiscent of the trauma are all common symptoms that trauma survivors and others may not readily associate with surviving a trauma.

Not every person who survives a traumatic experience will develop the specific symptoms that can result in a diagnosis of PTSD. However, most survivors will suffer from various symptoms within the PTSD group. It is common for survivors to have dreams and flashbacks, to be anxious and on edge, to have depressed moods and anger responses, and to withdraw from circumstances and places that remind them of the trauma. In some cases, the criteria for other anxiety-related diagnoses may be met, and in almost all cases, some adjustment disturbances can be expected. Not everyone develops PTSD, but almost everyone that survives a trauma will have immediate post-trauma physiological reactions and adverse symptoms while they adjust to what has happened. These symptoms themselves may be long term and benefit from treatment separately from a diagnosis of PTSD.

The symptoms associated with PTSD can be said to be normal reactions to trauma. By normal, is meant an understandable adjustment to a traumatic event. The symptoms make the survivors and those around them feel anything but normal, and having the symptoms may increase anxiety and associated reactions as the person struggles to understand what is happening to their minds and bodies. While sufferers may feel anything but normal, PTSD is normal in the sense that its symptoms are an understandable reaction to trauma. Seeing PTSD as normal in this context, sufferers and their families can understand that they aren't "crazy," that there is a clinical approach to diagnosing and treating PTSD, and that the treatments do work.

There are various treatments for PTSD. Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Therapy have both been used effectively to treat PTSD symptoms. Additionally, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is effective for treatment. It is common for behavior medications to be prescribed for various symptoms of PTSD while treatment is on-going. Traditional healing, especially for Native American veterans can also assist in decreasing PTSD symptoms below the threshold for diagnosis.

In most cases, people who suffer from PTSD are not destined to suffer for the rest of their lives. Most if not all the symptoms of PTSD can be normalized or ended completely. In some cases the trauma is so horrific or repeated over such a length of time that some symptoms may remain for an extended period of time.

Treatment for PTSD does not change the past or remove memories as such. Some memories and cues may lose some definition. For instance, a particular scene may become less clear or may lose its color. Particular aspects of a memory may become faded to the extent that mental images lose facial features or become blurred completely. Treatment is intended to reduce the anxiety associated with the events and the resultant symptoms, allowing the person to live a better adjusted life.

Many people suffering the effects of a trauma develop habits or behaviors that may be problematic for themselves or those close to them. Some people may develop an alcohol or other substance abuse or dependence problem in an effort to self-medicate their mood changes or anxiety. In other cases, unexplained anger reactions may be evidenced that seem out of proportion for the situation. These reactions may arise from the level of anxiety in the person at the moment, or be the result of chronic anxiety arising from constantly being alert or fearful. These are but two possible complicating factors that may be associated with trauma or PTSD; there are many possibilities based on the unique trauma, background, and resources available to the particular survivor.