Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event, characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and hyperarousal.
Prevalence: 3.6% of adults in a given year; lifetime 6.8% (NIMH). 2x more common in women.
Common Symptoms
- Intrusive memories of traumatic event
- Recurrent distressing nightmares
- Flashbacks (feeling like event is happening again)
- Severe distress to trauma reminders
- Physical reactions to reminders
- Avoiding trauma-related thoughts or feelings
- Avoiding places or people related to trauma
- Inability to remember parts of trauma
- Negative beliefs about self or world
- Persistent fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame
- Loss of interest in activities
- Feeling detached from others
- Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
- Hypervigilance (constantly on guard)
- Exaggerated startle response
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbance
- Irritability or angry outbursts
- Reckless or self-destructive behavior
Risk Factors
- Severity of trauma
- Female gender
- Previous trauma exposure
- History of mental illness
- Lack of social support
- Additional stress after trauma
- Childhood adversity
Treatment Approaches
- Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) - Gold standard
- Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization)
- Narrative Exposure Therapy
- Group therapy with survivors
- SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine) - FDA approved
- Prazosin for nightmares
- Trauma-informed yoga
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy
- Somatic Experiencing
Self-Help & Natural Approaches
- Regular physical exercise (reduces hyperarousal)
- Trauma-informed yoga
- Mindfulness meditation
- Grounding techniques (5-4-3-2-1)
- Deep breathing exercises
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Journaling about feelings
- Peer support groups
- Spend time in nature
- Creative expression (art, music)
- Establish safe routines
- Limit trauma exposure in media
- Self-compassion practice
- Adequate sleep hygiene
- Emotional freedom technique (EFT)
- Cold water exposure
- Bilateral stimulation activities
- Safe touch (massage, pets)
- Rhythmic activities (drumming, dancing)
- Connection with trusted others
When to Seek Professional Help
- Symptoms persist for more than 1 month
- Symptoms are severe or worsening
- Difficulty functioning at work or home
- Suicidal thoughts
- Substance use to cope
- Severe flashbacks or nightmares
- Avoiding important activities
- Relationship problems
Crisis Resources
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741
- Veterans Crisis Line: 988 then press 1
- RAINN (Sexual Assault): 1-800-656-4673
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.