This month is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding and encouraging conversations about PTSD. While most people have heard of PTSD, there are still many misconceptions about what it is, how it develops, and how it affects those living with it.
What is PTSD
PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or traumatic event. These events may be shocking, dangerous, or deeply distressing, and the emotional impact can stay with you. PTSD can affect people of all ages from young children to older adults and can be triggered by a wide range of experiences. Some of the most common causes include combat exposure, childhood abuse, witnessing disturbing events, and sexual or physical assault. However, trauma does not always have to involve violence; experiences such as the unexpected loss of a loved one can also lead to the development of PTSD.
What are the Symptoms of PTSD
Symptoms of PTSD often appear shortly after a traumatic incident, but in some cases they may not develop until months or even years later. When symptoms persist for long periods of time, they can begin to interfere with daily life, including school, work, and personal relationships. PTSD symptoms may present differently in everyone and can change over time. The most common symptoms of PTSD are:
- Re-experiencing symptoms like flashbacks, bad dreams, or negative thoughts. These symptoms might be accompanied by physical responses such as racing pulse, rapid heartbeat, or sweating.
- Avoidance symptoms like staying away from certain places, objects, or people because of association with the traumatic event. You may also avoid thinking about the event or your feelings associated with the event.
- Reactivity symptoms like being easily startled, feeling tense or “on edge,” prone to angry outbursts, feeling numb, or having trouble sleeping or concentrating.
Typically, a diagnosis of PTSD is made when symptoms last longer than 30 days. However, in very young children, symptoms may present differently, through repetitive play or recurring nightmares.
What is a Trigger
Similar to PTSD symptoms, triggers can be highly individualized. They can be anything that causes an intense emotional or physical reaction by reminding someone of a past traumatic experience. Some triggers may be obvious, while others can be subtle and difficult to recognize.
Triggers develop because the brain may not fully process a traumatic event right away. Instead of recognizing the experience as something that happened in the past, the brain may respond as though the danger is still present, causing feelings of stress, fear, or panic even when no immediate threat exists.
What are Common PTSD Triggers
These triggers can take many forms, and can be highly specific to you, and what you experienced. There are several common PTSD triggers that may bring up memories of past trauma or cause an emotional response, including:
- People: Seeing someone connected to your trauma or even someone with similar physical traits can cause a reaction.
- Objects: Everyday items associated with a traumatic experience may bring back difficult memories.
- Scents: Smell is strongly connected to memory, making familiar scents powerful triggers.
- Places: Returning to the location where a traumatic event occurred, or even being somewhere similar, can trigger distress.
- Physical sensations: A touch, physical pain, or other body sensation may remind someone of past trauma.
- Sounds: Noises, songs, or voices can bring back memories and emotions tied to a traumatic event.
- Taste: Foods or flavors may unexpectedly trigger memories or emotional responses.
- Anniversaries: Dates connected to a traumatic event can be especially difficult and may intensify symptoms.
- Words or conversations: Particular words, phrases, or topics can unexpectedly bring someone back to their trauma.
Triggers may feel random, but they are often connected to unresolved memories or emotional responses related to past trauma. Recognizing your personal triggers is an important step in managing PTSD. While triggers can feel overwhelming, identifying them can help you build coping strategies and feel more in control.
How to Cope with Triggers
Learning to identify and understand your triggers is the first step toward managing them. One helpful way is to begin is by keeping a journal and writing down situations, environments or events that cause you to feel triggered. Over time, this can help you recognize patterns and better prepare for situations that may be difficult. Once you have identified your triggers, practicing coping strategies can help you manage them more effectively in your day-to-day life and reduce distress.
- Deep breathing: Focus on your breathing. Inhale through your nose, hold for a few seconds, then slowly exhale through your mouth.
- Try the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding technique: Identify five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.
- Visualize a safe space: Picture yourself somewhere you feel calm, secure, and safe.
- Relaxation exercises: Tense and release different muscle groups, starting at your toes and slowly working your way up your body.
- Move your body: Take a walk outside, stretch, or do a few light exercises to help release stress.
- Create your support system: Put together a list of trusted people who can support you when you need help.
- Distractions: Keep items with you that can help redirect your focus, such as a book, stress ball, or music.
These self-help techniques can help you regain a sense of control and reduce the emotional intensity of triggers in the moment. However, while these strategies can be effective tools, they may not be enough on their own. If PTSD symptoms continue to interfere with your daily life, seeking professional support can provide additional guidance, treatment, and long-term coping strategies to support your healing journey.
Combining Therapy and Psychiatry in PTSD Treatment
Therapy and psychiatry often work hand in hand when treating PTSD, creating a more comprehensive and personalized approach to care. By working together, providers can develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and experiences. As you take the first step toward seeking treatment, it is important to understand what to look for in a mental health provider. Choosing a trauma-informed provider, someone who prioritizes your overall well-being while addressing the impact of trauma, can play an important role in supporting your healing journey.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy tool that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. When paired with the appropriate medication prescribed by a psychiatric provider, EMDR may become even more effective by helping to reduce PTSD symptoms and improve emotional regulation. This combined approach can make it easier to engage in therapy, process traumatic memories, and build long-term coping skills that support recovery and overall emotional well-being.
Final Thoughts: Seeking Professional Help
At Elite DNA Behavioral Health, we offer comprehensive mental health care that addresses PTSD. You and your family don’t have to navigate this by yourself. Our clinicians provide compassionate, personalized support to help your child heal and feel like themselves again.
Elite DNA Behavioral Health has more than 40 locations across Florida and Virginia.
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