What Is PTSD? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Before the accident, Sarah’s world was a symphony of small, happy moments. The warm weight of her dog, Max, on her lap. The hum of her car engine on her morning commute. The smell of freshly brewed coffee. Her life felt like a calm river—predictable and peaceful. 

Then came the crash. 

The sound of screeching tires, the jolt of impact, the sight of shattered glass—it all happened in a terrifying flash. She walked away with only bruises, but the traumatic event had shattered her inner peace.

After the crash, the world no longer felt safe. The once-calm river of her life had become a choppy, unpredictable sea. Sarah found herself jumping at the smallest sound. A car honking nearby would send a bolt of panic through her. Every night, the same nightmare replayed: the crash, the shattered glass, the feeling of helplessness. 

She started avoiding driving altogether, even for quick trips to the grocery store. Simple tasks felt like monumental challenges. She couldn’t shake the feeling of being in danger. This wasn’t her. This feeling of being on high alert, always on edge, was a constant companion.

It wasn’t just the fear, though. Her thoughts and mood had changed, too. The joy she once found in a quiet evening with a book was gone. She felt disconnected from her friends and family, as if she were watching her life from a distance. She couldn’t focus at work and often felt irritable and easily angered. She just wanted to feel normal again. 

She had no idea what was happening to her, or that these were the classic symptoms of trauma related disorders like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, better known as PTSD.

It turns out, the feelings Sarah was experiencing are very common for people who have been through a traumatic event. She was re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive memories, avoiding things that reminded her of the event, and had changes in her mood and physical reactions, which is a state called hypervigilance. Sarah’s healing journey began the day she decided to see a therapist—a big step, but one she knew she had to take.

What causes PTSD?

Experiencing a traumatic event can lead to PTSD. However, not everyone who experiences trauma will develop the condition. In fact, most people who experience a traumatic event will not develop PTSD. According to the National Center for PTSD, about 6 out of every 100 people will have PTSD at some point in their lives in the United States, and women are more likely to develop PTSD than men.

While any traumatic event can cause PTSD, some common ones include:

• Military combat.
• Natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, or wildfires.
• Physical or sexual assault.
• Terrorist acts.
• Serious accidents.
• Child abuse or neglect.

Sometimes, PTSD isn’t caused by a single event, but rather a string of traumatic events.

Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)

Complex PTSD, or C-PTSD, often develops after a person has been exposed to long-term, repeated trauma that they couldn't escape. This is a trauma that happened over a long period of time, like months or even years.

The causes of complex PTSD can include things like:

• Long-term childhood abuse or neglect.
• Being a prisoner of war.
• Human trafficking.
• Living in an abusive relationship.

The symptoms of C-PTSD often overlap with regular PTSD, but they also include a few other things. People with C-PTSD may have a hard time controlling their emotions, struggle with their sense of self, and have great difficulty with relationships. They might feel like they are "broken" or that they don't have an identity outside of their trauma.

Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD symptoms can be different for everyone, but they usually fall into four main categories. You don’t have to have all of them to be diagnosed.

Intrusive memories

These are unwanted memories that suddenly come to mind. They can feel very real, and it’s like you are reliving the event.

• Flashbacks, which can make you feel like the event is happening again.
• Nightmares about the event.
• Strong physical or emotional reactions when you see or hear things that remind you of the trauma.

Avoidance

It’s natural to want to avoid anything that reminds you of a bad experience. With PTSD, this avoidance can be so strong that it starts to get in the way of your daily life.

• Avoiding people, places, or activities that bring back memories of the event.
• Not wanting to talk or think about the trauma.

Negative changes in thinking and mood

Trauma can alter the way you perceive yourself and the world. These changes can make it hard to feel positive emotions, and more common to experience negative thoughts and emotions.

• Feeling hopeless about the future.
• Having a hard time remembering important parts of the event.
• Feeling detached from friends and family.
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed.

Changes in physical and emotional reactions

You might be jumpy or always on high alert. This is often called hypervigilance.

• Being easily startled.
• Having a hard time sleeping.
• Trouble concentrating.
• Feeling irritable or having angry outbursts.

Different types of PTSD treatment

A PTSD diagnosis is only given when they last for more than a month and cause significant distress in a person’s life. However, not all traumatic events will result in a PTSD diagnosis. Talking with a licensed provider is the best way to learn about symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment options. 

Living with the symptoms of PTSD can be a lonely and overwhelming experience. Thankfully, there is ptsd treatment that works.

Therapy and counseling

Trauma-focused therapy is often the first step. Two of the most effective types of therapy for PTSD are:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This type of therapy helps you recognize and change the negative thought patterns that are keeping you stuck. A therapist will help you find new ways to think about the trauma, which can reduce fear and anxiety.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): This is a specific type of therapy that helps your brain process traumatic memories. During EMDR, a therapist will guide your eye movements while you recall the trauma. This can help to "unstick" the memories and make them less upsetting.

These therapies can feel intense at first, but they are a powerful way to begin healing. Finding the right therapist is a crucial step on the path to wellbeing.

Mindfulness and wellness activities

Healing isn't just about what happens in a therapist's office. You can also work on your wellbeing during your daily life and in between sessions.

• Mindfulness and meditation: Learning to be present in the moment can help you regain a sense of control and calm.
• Exercise: Physical activity can help reduce stress and improve your mood.
• Connecting with others: Spending time with people you trust can help you feel less isolated and more supported.

As one of the world's most recognizable pop stars, Lady Gaga has spoken openly about her own experience with PTSD after a sexual assault at 19: “I suffer from PTSD. I’ve never told anyone that before.” 

Her willingness to share her story highlights that even those who seem to have it all can struggle with the effects of trauma. It also shows that healing is possible and that it’s something to be brave about, not ashamed of.

The journey to healing from PTSD is a personal one. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one person may not work for another. The important thing is to remember that you're not alone and that there are people and professionals who can help you find your way back to a place of peace and safety. It's about finding what feels right for you and taking that first step, no matter how small it seems.

Putting PTSD in the past

In the end, PTSD is not just a diagnosis. It is a very human response to a difficult experience. It reminds us that our minds and bodies are deeply interconnected and that they require time to heal. Recovery isn't about forgetting what happened. It is about integrating the experience into your life so that it no longer controls you. It is about reclaiming your sense of self and finding moments of joy and peace again. The path forward is not always easy, but it's a journey worth taking. It's about learning that you are more than what happened to you. It's about finding your strength, your resilience, and your ability to live a full and meaningful life once again.