Mental Illness Awareness Week: Navigating Trauma-Related Disorders - PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder

Experiencing a traumatic event can have a profound impact on an individual's mental health. Two common trauma-related disorders are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder. Understanding these conditions and knowing when to seek help is crucial for recovery.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic, life-threatening event. This may include things like combat, sexual assault, a serious accident, natural disaster, or the sudden loss of a loved one. After the trauma, individuals with PTSD may experience:

• Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares about the event

• Avoidance of reminders or triggers related to the trauma

• Negative changes in thoughts and mood, like feeling detached or hopeless

• Increased physical and emotional reactions, such as being easily startled or feeling on guard

For a PTSD diagnosis, these symptoms must last for more than a month and significantly interfere with daily life.

Acute Stress Disorder

Acute stress disorder (ASD) is similar to PTSD, but the symptoms typically develop within the first month after a traumatic event and last anywhere from 3 days to 1 month. ASD is characterized by dissociative symptoms, like feeling detached from one's body or the world around them. Other common ASD symptoms include:

• Intrusive memories or flashbacks of the trauma

• Avoidance of anything associated with the event

• Heightened arousal, like difficulty sleeping or trouble concentrating

• Severe anxiety, panic, or depression

While ASD and PTSD share many similarities, the key difference is the duration of symptoms. ASD is considered an early reaction to trauma that may develop into PTSD if left unresolved.

Managing Trauma-Related Disorders

Recovering from PTSD or ASD is certainly challenging, but there are effective treatments available. The first step is to seek help from a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counselor who specializes in trauma. They can provide the proper diagnosis and develop an individualized treatment plan. Common therapeutic approaches for trauma-related disorders include:

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) - Helps identify and change unhelpful thoughts about the trauma

• Prolonged Exposure Therapy - Gradually exposes the individual to trauma reminders in a safe environment

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) - Uses rapid eye movements to reprocess traumatic memories

  
  

Medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs may also be prescribed to help manage symptoms. In addition, self-care strategies like mindfulness, exercise, and social support can complement professional treatment.

When to Seek Help

It's important to seek help if you or a loved one is struggling with persistent trauma-related symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. Don't wait until the problem becomes severe. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of preventing PTSD from developing or worsening.

Reach out to your doctor or a local mental health clinic to get connected with the appropriate resources and support. With the right care, individuals with PTSD or ASD can learn to manage their symptoms, process the trauma, and reclaim their lives.

You don't have to face this alone. Help is available, and recovery is possible.

PTSD, Acute Stress Disorder