Experiencing fear during and after a traumatic event is a natural human response, triggering the body’s fight-or-flight response. For most people, these feelings gradually fade as time passes. However, some individuals continue to feel stressed, frightened, and anxious long after the danger has ended. When these symptoms persist and interfere with daily life, they may indicate posttraumatic stress disorder, a condition that affects millions worldwide. Thankfully, cognitive behavioral therapy or eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing can help people suffering from PTSD.
What Is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?
Posttraumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that develops in some people after they experience or witness a traumatic event. These events may include combat exposure, natural disaster, serious accidents, sexual assault, interpersonal violence, childhood physical abuse, or the sudden death of a loved one. The resulting psychological trauma can have lasting effects on mental health.
Approximately 5 to 10 percent of people who experience traumatic experiences develop posttraumatic stress disorder, though anyone can be affected regardless of age, gender, or background. Understanding that PTSD has biological components helps remove the stigma sometimes associated with seeking treatment from a mental health professional.
Related Conditions: Acute Stress Disorder and Complex PTSD
Acute stress disorder shares many symptoms with posttraumatic stress disorder but occurs within the first month after a traumatic event. If symptoms of acute stress disorder persist beyond one month, the diagnosis may change to PTSD. Early intervention during acute stress disorder can help prevent progression to chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.
Complex PTSD develops from prolonged psychological trauma, often involving repeated traumatic experiences over months or years. This may occur in situations of ongoing abuse or captivity. Additionally, adjustment disorder represents a less severe response to stressful events, while dissociative disorders may co-occur with PTSD in trauma survivors.
Recognizing PTSD Symptoms
Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms typically begin within three months of the traumatic event, though they may appear later. To receive a diagnosis, symptoms must last more than one month and cause significant distress. Symptoms generally fall into four categories that mental health specialists assess.
Intrusive memories involve reliving the traumatic event through unwanted, distressing memories. Flashbacks make individuals feel as though they are experiencing the psychological trauma again. Nightmares related to the event disrupt sleep. Some people may also experience dissociative disorders symptoms, including emotional numbness or feeling detached from reality.
Avoidance symptoms lead people to try steering clear of anything connected to their traumatic experiences. Changes in physical and emotional reactions include being easily startled, always feeling on guard, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms distinguish posttraumatic stress disorder from normal adjustment disorder reactions.
Risk Factors and Protective Factors
Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event develops posttraumatic stress disorder. Previous exposure to trauma, especially during childhood, increases vulnerability. A personal or family history of mental health conditions also raises risk. Interpersonal violence such as sexual assault or combat exposure typically leads to PTSD more often than accidents.
Protective factors can reduce the likelihood of developing posttraumatic stress disorder. Strong support from family and friends following traumatic experiences provides crucial emotional resources. Joining a support group connects trauma survivors with others who understand. Social workers and mental health specialists can help identify and strengthen these protective factors.
Effective Treatment Options
The good news is that posttraumatic stress disorder responds well to treatment. The main treatment approaches include trauma-focused psychotherapies, medication, or a combination. An experienced mental health professional can help determine the best approach based on individual symptoms and the nature of the traumatic event.
Trauma-focused psychotherapies are typically the first-line treatment for PTSD. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy helps people identify and change troubling thoughts. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is another evidence-based approach. Eye movement desensitization helps process traumatic memories in a safe environment under guidance of trained mental health specialists.
Medications can help manage posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms when used alongside trauma-focused psychotherapies. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly prescribed. These help regulate mood and reduce anxiety, making it easier to engage in therapeutic work with your mental health professional.
Finding Help Through Primary Care and Specialists
Many people first discuss symptoms with primary care providers who can screen for posttraumatic stress disorder and provide referrals. Primary care doctors play an important role in identifying PTSD and connecting patients with appropriate mental health specialists. Social workers can also help navigate mental health services and coordinate care.
Recovery from a psychologically traumatic event takes time and patience. Participating in a support group provides connection with others who have experienced similar traumatic experiences. Active participation in treatment and practicing coping skills between sessions contribute to better outcomes for those with posttraumatic stress disorder or acute stress disorder.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder due to sexual violence, physical abuse, an accident, or another event, do not worry., seeking help from a qualified mental health professional is the most important step toward recovery. Do not wait for symptoms to become overwhelming. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes, whether for PTSD, acute stress disorder, or adjustment disorder.
At the Mental Health Research Centre in Kolkata, Dr. Sagnik Mukherjee and our dedicated team provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder and related conditions including dissociative disorders. With over 16 years of experience, Dr. Mukherjee specializes in helping individuals overcome psychological trauma.
Taking the first step toward treatment requires courage, but you do not have to face this journey alone. Call MHRC today at 98313 13020 to schedule a confidential consultation. Our team of mental health specialists and social workers is here to support your healing from traumatic events.
Dr. Sagnik Mukherjee, a distinguished Consultant Neuro-Psychiatrist, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the field of mental health. With an academic background that includes an MBBS from Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, and an MD from SVS Medical College, Hyderabad, he has garnered recognition as one of Kolkata’s leading mental health professionals. Dr. Mukherjee’s illustrious career has seen him contribute his skills and knowledge to esteemed institutions such as Chittaranjan Hospital, SVS Medical College & Hospital Hyderabad, KPC Medical College, and Iris Hospital. Currently, he serves as a consultant at the Mental Health Research Centre in Kolkata, located within the Marwari Relief Society Hospital, Bara Bazar. His areas of specialization encompass Child and adolescent psychiatry, de-addiction, schizophrenia, depression, and various types of anxiety disorders. Dr. Sagnik Mukherjee’s commitment to the field is underscored by his active participation in numerous international and national seminars on Psychiatry and mental health. His dedication and expertise make him a highly respected figure in the realm of mental health care in Kolkata.
