Find a TherapistReady to get started?Ready toget started?Add your email to continueEmailGet startedBy submitting your email, you agree to receive reminders and marketing communications.
Ready to get started?Ready toget started?Add your email to continueEmailGet startedBy submitting your email, you agree to receive reminders and marketing communications.
Ready to get started?
Ready toget started?
Add your email to continue
Get started
By submitting your email, you agree to receive reminders and marketing communications.
Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryRecognizing Trauma vs. PTSD: A Quick Primer on Symptoms
Table of Contents:OverviewDifferentiating PTSD from Traumatic StressCommon Treatments for PTSD
PTSDRead Time: 4 Minutes
Published On: April 13, 2017
Reviewed On: April 13, 2017
Updated On: October 31, 2023
OverviewImagine you have just had a car accident on the way home from work. Would you consider this a traumatic experience? What about if you left a country with oppressive government to find asylum in a safer country? Would you consider that traumatic?There are different kinds of trauma you may experience. In the past, trauma meant experiencing events such as torture or abuse. But mental health professionals have come to see trauma as being more varied. How will you know if you or someone you love is struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic stress? Clarification begins first with the definition of trauma.TheInternational Society for Trauma Stress Studiesdefines trauma as a set of mild to severe reactions to, “shocking and emotionally overwhelming situations that may involve actual or threatened death, serious injury, or threat to physical integrity.”
Overview
Imagine you have just had a car accident on the way home from work. Would you consider this a traumatic experience? What about if you left a country with oppressive government to find asylum in a safer country? Would you consider that traumatic?
There are different kinds of trauma you may experience. In the past, trauma meant experiencing events such as torture or abuse. But mental health professionals have come to see trauma as being more varied. How will you know if you or someone you love is struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic stress? Clarification begins first with the definition of trauma.
TheInternational Society for Trauma Stress Studiesdefines trauma as a set of mild to severe reactions to, “shocking and emotionally overwhelming situations that may involve actual or threatened death, serious injury, or threat to physical integrity.”
In the past the psychology community has thought of trauma as the experience of direct physical harm or violence. This definition now includes threats of violence and the witnessing of violence toward others. You can imagine how we all may experience traumatic stress throughout our lives.After experiencing a traumatic event, there are factors that prevent us from developing PTSD such as a supportive social network, immediate mental health intervention, and using other coping strategies.But if we all experience traumatic stress to some degree, then what is the difference between experiencing traumatic stress and living with PTSD?
In the past the psychology community has thought of trauma as the experience of direct physical harm or violence. This definition now includes threats of violence and the witnessing of violence toward others. You can imagine how we all may experience traumatic stress throughout our lives.
After experiencing a traumatic event, there are factors that prevent us from developing PTSD such as a supportive social network, immediate mental health intervention, and using other coping strategies.
But if we all experience traumatic stress to some degree, then what is the difference between experiencing traumatic stress and living with PTSD?
Differentiating PTSD from Traumatic Stress
PTSD was once a concept only applied to soldiers returning from war. We have seen this kind of experience shown in many television shows and movies aboutveteransreturning home. They often have difficulty re-integrating into their previous lives because of symptoms such as intense flashbacks and heightened startle responses (being “jumpy”).
Recent research estimates PTSD affects roughlyeight millionpeople each year in the United States. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [DSM V], the current criteria for PTSD includes the following:
For those who do not meet these criteria, they may be experiencing post-traumatic stress that does not meet the clinical definition of PTSD. In both instancestherapeutic supportcan be life-changing. Like someone with diagnosable PTSD, a person who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event may work with a licensed mental health provider to moderate the impact of the event, cope better, and return to a higher level of functioning.
Common Treatments for PTSDTreatment with a supportive therapist and appropriate regimen can produce great results. If you are dealing with post-traumatic stress or PTSD, there areseveral treatment optionsto help you work through the pain and recover.Cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT], eye movement and desensitization and reprocessing therapy [EMDR], narrative therapy, and mindfulness-based therapies are among a few of the options you may want to consider.Given the criteria for trauma and PTSD, you see how many of us may have these symptoms at some point in our lives. If you believe you or someone you love might be dealing with PTSD or traumatic stress, I recommend you seek out consultation with a therapist to discuss ongoing support. Even if you don’t meet the diagnostic criteria of PTSD, there is always room to be healthier and feel liberated from experiences that might be haunting you or limiting your progress in life.
Common Treatments for PTSD
Treatment with a supportive therapist and appropriate regimen can produce great results. If you are dealing with post-traumatic stress or PTSD, there areseveral treatment optionsto help you work through the pain and recover.Cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT], eye movement and desensitization and reprocessing therapy [EMDR], narrative therapy, and mindfulness-based therapies are among a few of the options you may want to consider.
Given the criteria for trauma and PTSD, you see how many of us may have these symptoms at some point in our lives. If you believe you or someone you love might be dealing with PTSD or traumatic stress, I recommend you seek out consultation with a therapist to discuss ongoing support. Even if you don’t meet the diagnostic criteria of PTSD, there is always room to be healthier and feel liberated from experiences that might be haunting you or limiting your progress in life.
Jor-El CaraballoJor-El Caraballo, LMHC is a NYC based Talkspace therapist, writer, and mental health advocate. Jor-El believes in therapy as a collaborative working relationship and focuses most of his work on helping clients deal with anxiety, depression, identity, and LGBTQ+ issues. You can join the conversation with Jor-El on Twitter @jorelcaraballo.
Jor-El Caraballo, LMHC is a NYC based Talkspace therapist, writer, and mental health advocate. Jor-El believes in therapy as a collaborative working relationship and focuses most of his work on helping clients deal with anxiety, depression, identity, and LGBTQ+ issues. You can join the conversation with Jor-El on Twitter @jorelcaraballo.
Share
Effective and affordable mental health treatmentGet Started
Effective and affordable mental health treatment
Related Articles About PTSDView all articlesPTSDOctober 23, 2024Military Sexual Trauma: Find HealingPTSDOctober 23, 2024Post-Deployment Syndrome: Anxiety, Depression, and Stress After Your ReturnPTSDSeptember 28, 2023Does Insurance Cover Treatment for PTSD?PTSDApril 11, 2023Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)PTSDFebruary 24, 2023Types of Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderPTSDJanuary 31, 202318 Grounding Techniques for PTSD ManagementPTSDJanuary 30, 2023Relationship PTSD: Signs, Causes, & How to CopePTSDJanuary 30, 2023How to Help Veterans with PTSD – article page newPTSDJanuary 30, 2023PTSD Acute vs Chronic: What’s the Difference?PTSDJanuary 24, 2023What is Rape Trauma Syndrome?
Related Articles About PTSDView all articles
Related Articles About PTSD
PTSDOctober 23, 2024Military Sexual Trauma: Find HealingPTSDOctober 23, 2024Post-Deployment Syndrome: Anxiety, Depression, and Stress After Your ReturnPTSDSeptember 28, 2023Does Insurance Cover Treatment for PTSD?PTSDApril 11, 2023Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)PTSDFebruary 24, 2023Types of Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderPTSDJanuary 31, 202318 Grounding Techniques for PTSD ManagementPTSDJanuary 30, 2023Relationship PTSD: Signs, Causes, & How to CopePTSDJanuary 30, 2023How to Help Veterans with PTSD – article page newPTSDJanuary 30, 2023PTSD Acute vs Chronic: What’s the Difference?PTSDJanuary 24, 2023What is Rape Trauma Syndrome?
PTSDOctober 23, 2024Military Sexual Trauma: Find Healing
PTSDOctober 23, 2024Post-Deployment Syndrome: Anxiety, Depression, and Stress After Your Return
PTSDSeptember 28, 2023Does Insurance Cover Treatment for PTSD?
PTSDApril 11, 2023Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSDFebruary 24, 2023Types of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSDJanuary 31, 202318 Grounding Techniques for PTSD Management
PTSDJanuary 30, 2023Relationship PTSD: Signs, Causes, & How to Cope
PTSDJanuary 30, 2023How to Help Veterans with PTSD – article page new
PTSDJanuary 30, 2023PTSD Acute vs Chronic: What’s the Difference?
PTSDJanuary 24, 2023What is Rape Trauma Syndrome?
If you are in a life threatening situation – don’t use this site. Call 988 or useto get immediate help.
Therapy may be free for you
