With a lot of information available online and through other resources, you often see the terms PTSD and trauma used synonymously. However, there’s a difference between these two and in this article we will discuss what is an actual trauma and how it can lead to the development of PTSD.
According to American psychological Association (APA) trauma is defined as “an emotional response to a dreadful event such as a natural disaster, an accident or injury, rape or other life threatening experiences”. It is associated with feelings of extreme anxiety, distress, low mood, irritability, poor emotional regulation, dissociation and sleep disturbances. The duration of trauma varies, It can be acute or long lasting, symptoms can remain present for days, weeks and months.
People who have experienced a trauma also feel confused, get flashbacks of the traumatic events, have nightmares, avoid the triggers and find it difficult to feel normal or how they were before the traumatic experience. Trauma can be an ongoing response to a present problem or a continuing circumstance such as abuse, neglect, living in a war zone etc.
Post traumatic stress disorder on the other hand is a diagnosable disorder that develops after an exposure to trauma and its diagnosis is given if a certain criteria is met for a specific period of time which varies in adults and children. If a child experiences symptoms of avoidance, flashbacks, night terrors, confusion, derealization (feeling that the world is not real), or depersonalization (out of own body experience), anxiety, distress, fear, gets scared easily, and has sleep disturbances for a period of more than one month after an event or a trauma then he/she will likely be given the diagnosis of PTSD. The duration for adults is six months. Trauma and PTSD both require proper treatment. However, as PTSD is a categorical disorder the intensity, persistence, and duration of symptoms is higher in comparison to a trauma and individuals need rigorous treatment.
Available treatment options include medication, psychotherapy, trauma- focused therapy, cognitive therapy, in-patient and out-patient treatment methods. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence based intervention for dealing with trauma and stress disorders such as PTSD it uses various techniques such as relaxation, psycho-education, affective regulation, working on trauma narrative, systematic exposure to trauma triggers and learning coping skills.
It is important to seek professional help if you suspect that you or someone you know is suffering from a trauma or post traumatic stress disorder. Therapy can help individuals process the traumatic event, manage symptoms and work towards healing and recovery. Understanding the difference between trauma and PTSD is the first step towards seeking appropriate support and care.
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