UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA

In contemporary society, we hear the term PTSD for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder very often. This is the new buzzword or flavor of the month in mental illness.  Unfortunately, the term is often misused.  PTSD is a mental health disorder that develops following a traumatic event and affects an estimated 7.1% of adults nationwide. One can also struggle with PTSD from an indirect experience where one isn’t the primary victim. For example, you can develop PTSD after learning about the death of a close loved one or witnessing a hostage situation play out on the news. Many people who undergo a traumatic episode have temporary difficulty adjusting. With time and good self-care, however, they typically get better.  

There appear to be 3 areas of the brain that are different in patients with PTSD. They are the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the medial frontal cortex.  Research in 2022 has shown that PTSD can affect memory in two primary ways. First, it can affect a person’s memory of traumatic events, such as causing vivid flashbacks or making it difficult to recall. Second, it can affect a person’s available memory, causing increased forgetfulness. Previous studies have shown the hippocampus is smaller in people with PTSD.  The good news is that the effects of trauma on the brain are reversible, often with the guidance and support of a trauma-informed therapist.

The five types of PTSD are Normal Stress Response, Acute Stress Response, Uncomplicated PTSD, Complex PTSD, and Comorbid PTSD. Normal Stress Response is what occurs before PTSD begins. It does not always lead up to a full-blown disorder. Acute Stress Disorder can occur in people exposed to what is or feels like a life-threatening event. Uncomplicated PTSD is linked to one major traumatic event versus multiple events. Complex PTSD is caused by multiple traumatic events. Complex PTSD is common in abuse or domestic violence cases, repeated exposure to war or community violence, or sudden loss. Comorbid PTSD is a blanket term for co-occurring disorders.

Originally, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was thought to be something only military service members and veterans faced. Now, we understand that this stress disorder can happen to anyone, especially those who experience an intense, often life-threatening, event. PTSD differs from acute stress disorder in that the experiences are more long-term and will usually disturb daily life. PTSD does not have to be a life sentence, as the damage to the brain can be reversed with treatment. I hope that you found this series informative and beneficial. Next month I will offer another topic concerning Investing in Ourselves.  

PTSD is not necessarily permanent. If you have it, it can improve. Whether you seek professional help is up to you but know that it can and often does get better. And, importantly, you can help that process along.