What is the difference between a normal trauma response and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

It is normal to feel fear and stress after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, as the body triggers a "fight or flight" response to protect itself. Most people recover from these feelings naturally over time. However, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is different from a normal trauma response; it is a mental health condition that develops in some people after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, where feelings of stress and fear persist long after the trauma has ended. Symptoms may appear months or even years after the event and their intensity may fluctuate over time [1].

PTSD is diagnosed if symptoms persist for more than one month and cause significant distress or interfere with daily life, such as work or personal relationships [1]. In contrast, a normal trauma response consists of feelings and sensations that gradually fade over time and do not significantly or persistently affect a person's functional performance.

Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD symptoms are classified into four main categories, and a specific number of symptoms from each category must be present to diagnose the condition [2]:

• Re-experiencing symptoms: This involves reliving the traumatic event, such as flashbacks that make the person feel as though they are experiencing the event again, recurring nightmares, or frightening thoughts. These symptoms can be triggered by specific thoughts, feelings, words, objects, or situations that remind the person of the event [2].
• Avoidance symptoms: Trying to avoid situations, people, or places that trigger memories of the traumatic event. This may lead to changes in daily routine, such as avoiding driving after a car accident, or attempting to avoid thoughts and feelings related to the event [2].
• Arousal and reactivity symptoms: Feeling tense or on guard for danger, being easily startled, difficulty sleeping, angry outbursts, or engaging in risky or reckless behaviors. These symptoms are often persistent and can affect sleep and concentration [2].
• Negative cognition and mood symptoms: Difficulty remembering important details about the event, negative thoughts about oneself or the world, feelings of guilt or blame, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, difficulty concentrating, or feeling detached from others [2].

When should you seek help?

If the aforementioned symptoms persist for more than four weeks, cause severe distress, or begin to interfere with your daily life and relationships, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional [1]. Mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, or clinical social workers, can determine if the symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD [2].

Effective treatment options

The main treatments for PTSD include talk therapy (psychotherapy), medication, or both [1]. People's response to treatment varies, so you should work with a mental health professional to develop an appropriate treatment plan [1].

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy can teach you how to identify and manage symptom triggers. Effective types include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which may involve exposure therapy to help a person manage fear through gradual and safe exposure to the trauma, and cognitive restructuring to help the person understand the event in a realistic way [2].
• Medication: Certain medications, such as antidepressants (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - SSRIs), may help control symptoms like sadness, anxiety, anger, and feelings of emotional numbness. Other medications may also be prescribed to help with sleep problems and nightmares [2].

It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options and follow the recommended treatment plan. Support from friends and family can also assist in the recovery process [2].

For more information about PTSD and how to get effective help, you can visit Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Flashback, Avoidance, and How to Seek Effective Help (Arabic).

Medical references

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder