Understanding PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event—either experiencing it or witnessing it.
Key Fact: Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting, but if the symptoms get worse, it may be PTSD.
Common Symptoms
Flashbacks
Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again.
Avoidance
Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event.
Negative Mood Changes
Feeling hopeless, numb, or having memory problems related to the event.
Hyperarousal
Being easily startled, always on guard, or having trouble sleeping.
Risk Factors
- Experiencing intense or long-lasting trauma
- Having other mental health risks (anxiety, depression)
- Lack of a good support system
- Biological factors in how the brain regulates stress
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
Diagnosis requires exposure to an event and symptoms lasting more than one month.
Psychological Evaluation
DSM-5 Criteria Checklist
Physical Exam
CAPS-5 Assessment
Common Treatments
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Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): Helping you modify and challenge unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma.
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EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing to help process traumatic memories.
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Medication: Antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs) to help manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.