What Are the Different Types of PTSD and How Can They Be Treated?
We have all heard the word trauma, which in today’s world is often considered a common experience. However, trauma doesn’t always heal with time. Some experiences remain invisible for years and continue to silently affect an individual’s thoughts, perceptions, emotions, and everyday life, causing distress that may not always be visible to others. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one such mental health condition that can develop after an individual experiences one or more traumatic events.
Understanding the different types of PTSD, its symptoms, and the treatment options available is crucial for timely intervention, support, and recovery. At Zenzo, we believe that awareness and knowledge of both physical and mental health play a key role in ensuring holistic well-being and long-term recovery. In the blog below, we take a closer look at what PTSD really is and help you understand its types and available treatment methods to support healing and improved quality of life.
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops in some people after they experience a severe traumatic event. This event could be a life-threatening experience, such as an accident, physical or verbal abuse, severe injury, sudden death of a loved one, bullying, or sexual assault. Studies have shown that trauma often develops when an individual undergoes an event that may have posed a severe threat to their emotional, physical, or spiritual well-being. In some cases, people also develop PTSD by learning about a close person’s experience of a traumatic event. Most people with PTSD also display responses like nightmares, anxiety, and avoiding events, places, or people that remind them of the event.
What are the Types of PTSD?
PTSD is said to be a multi-dimensional disorder having several causes and outcomes. Although it was originally believed to primarily affect military personnel and veterans due to their exposure to violent and traumatic situations, it is now observed that stress can affect anyone in various forms, making it possible for any individual to develop the disorder. As a result, PTSD presents itself in various forms, depending on the nature of the trauma and the individual’s response to it. However, amongst the various forms, here are five of the primary PTSD types that are commonly seen among people.
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It is a short-term mental health condition that can occur within a week to a month after experiencing a traumatic event. While many people mistake it for PTSD due to the similarity in symptoms, Acute Stress Disorder is diagnosed when the symptoms appear immediately after the experience and resolve within a month. Early diagnosis and timely support are crucial in such cases to prevent the condition from progressing into post-traumatic stress disorder.
Chronic PTSD
Amongst all the PTSD types, one of the most common ones is Chronic PTSD. It is diagnosed when the symptoms persist for more than three months after the traumatic event. A lack of proper treatment and support can cause the condition to spill over and affect one’s work life, family, relationships, and overall quality of life. Furthermore, in chronic PTSD, individuals often go from experiencing one or two symptoms to several symptoms, each increasing in intensity and severity with time. Studies have shown that symptoms of chronic PTSD can linger for years.
Delayed-Onset PTSD
As the name suggests, this PTSD type showcases a delayed expression, which means the symptoms may appear six months or a year after the traumatic event. This delay severely challenges the diagnosis process, allowing the condition to remain unnoticed and untreated for a long time. In most situations, such PTSD cases arise due to an event or factor that may have triggered the original traumatic experience. Identifying those triggers and seeking timely medical help is crucial to ensure a quicker recovery.
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
Complex PTSD occurs from chronic exposure to trauma. Individuals suffering from C-PTSD often display emotional regulation issues, difficulty maintaining relationships, trust issues, and self-esteem issues. Given the intensity of these conditions, the treatment approach needs to be holistic to ensure complete healing and improved quality of life.
PTSD with Dissociative Symptoms
It is a subtype of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that presents itself through certain dissociative symptoms. Individuals with this condition experience feelings of detachment or disconnection with themselves and their surroundings. As these individuals mask their issues often, diagnosing the condition becomes even more difficult. Early identification and treatment can help individuals improve their emotional stability and support healthy well-being.
Common Symptoms of PTSD
Depending on the severity of the trauma experienced and the type of PTSD one is suffering from, symptoms may vary to a great extent. Some of the primary PTSD symptoms include:
- Nightmares and flashbacks.
- Intrusive thoughts
- Avoidance of places or people associated with the traumatic event
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feelings of depression and detachment
How is PTSD Treated?
PTSD treatment revolves around a comprehensive approach that addresses the trauma and helps individuals regain control over their emotions, perceptions, and overall life. Listed below are the primary PTSD treatment options used to manage the condition effectively and support long-term recovery.
- Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is the most common form of PTSD treatment approach used by most healthcare providers. Some of the most used therapies include cognitive behavioural therapy and cognitive processing therapy.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy: In this therapy, the patients are slowly and gradually exposed to their fears in a controlled setting. This process helps the fears to subside and reduces the feelings of distress and anxiety.
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): It is a form of treatment in which the patient is made to recall their traumatic experience all over again while performing rapid eye movement, to help them understand and process the whole event in a much better way.
- Medications: While there aren’t any approved PTSD medications available globally, healthcare providers may prescribe certain antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications to control and reduce the symptoms the patient may be experiencing.
- Lifestyle Changes: Getting adequate sleep, performing regular physical activity, and practicing mindfulness are also said to aid in PTSD treatment and recovery.
Conclusion
Living with PTSD can be highly overwhelming and challenging. However, with timely diagnosis and proper care, the condition can be effectively managed, allowing individuals to regain control over their lives and well-being. It is important to remember that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but rather the first step towards recovery and improved quality of life.
FAQ’s
- How is PTSD diagnosed?
PTSD is diagnosed by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist through a detailed clinical evaluation. It typically includes inquiring about the symptoms, trauma history, and certain screening tests.
- Can children develop PTSD?
Yes, children, too, can develop PTSD after experiencing one or more traumatic events early on in their lives. However, their symptoms may vary from those of adults.
- Can PTSD be triggered by something in everyday life?
Yes, PTSD can be triggered by something in everyday life. Any sound, action, event, or person even minutely associated with the traumatic event can trigger PTSD.
