Traumatic Stress Disorders
Certain types of Stress Disorders can develop in people who have experienced a traumatic event. A traumatic event often includes situations where people’s lives or safety are threatened, or that of others around them.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is characterised by a set of reactions that can develop in people who have experienced a traumatic event. A traumatic event often includes situations where people’s lives or safety are threatened, or that of others around them. For example, physical or sexual assault, war, car accidents or events involving natural disasters. People with PTSD are often unable to recover from the traumatic event and can experience a range of difficult symptoms, which occur for a prolonged period of time, or can be lifelong.
The main symptoms of PTSD are generally grouped into 4 categories.
Re-living the traumatic event through unwanted, distressing memories, intrusive thoughts, vivid nightmares or flashbacks. When reminded of the event, people may experience strong physical reactions, including heart palpitations, experience breathing difficulties or become extremely upset and distressed.
Avoidance of the traumatic event where people may deliberately avoid activities, people, places or feelings that bring back memories of the trauma.
Negative thoughts and feelings including fear, guilt, anger or feeling flat or numb. People may feel disconnected, cut-off from friends and family, or lose interest in their day to day lives.
Feeling wound-up. This might mean having trouble sleeping or concentrating, feeling angry or irritable, taking risks, being easily startled and/or constantly being on the lookout for danger.
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
Complex PTSD is a specific form of PTSD that can develop in people who have experienced repeated and prolonged traumatic events.
Whilst C-PTSD is not yet listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it is recognised as a separate condition by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and it is listed as an individual condition in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
C-PTSD often develops from traumas which occur in childhood or adolescence, or when the person has little control over their situation and is unable to escape. Examples of such situations include long-term physical or sexual abuse or ongoing exposure to family violence.
Complex PTSD has the same symptoms as PTSD as well as an additional set of symptoms.
These additional symptoms include:
Emotional difficulties, including problems expressing emotions or difficulty regulating emotions
Negative self-beliefs, and/or strong feelings of guilt or shame
Problems developing and maintaining healthy relationships
Feelings of detachment from the traumatic events, or feeling disconnected from oneself (also known as dissociation)
Changes in beliefs and perceptions of the world, negative vibes about the world, or complete loss of previously held beliefs
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
Acute Stress Disorder is a temporary condition that may occur in people who have experienced a traumatic event. ASD symptoms are generally the same as PTSD and may develop during or immediately following a traumatic event.
The primary difference between the two conditions is that ASD symptoms are short-term and resolve within a month, whereas PTSD symptoms are prolonged and may be lifelong.
To discuss trauma related conditions and treatment options, please contact Eliza.
Or, for further general information please contact us.