“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.”
― Laurell K. Hamilton
Do you know 30 people? If you do, there’s a chance you know at least one person who’s living with PTSD.
That’s right: 1 in 30 people across the United States have PTSD. Comparing that to Arizona’s population gives you nearly 247,000 individuals, or the entire populace of Scottsdale.
Despite so many people being impacted by this condition, what do you know about PTSD? Does it only have one severity? Does it look the same from person to person? While we don’t need to all have a therapist-level understanding of PTSD, having a base knowledge is important. It allows for support to be fostered in our community and beyond. That’s why our team at Pinnacle Peak Recovery is dedicated to answering common questions about mental health and sharing this information with anyone who needs it.
Today we’re going to talk about the types of PTSD, what sets them apart, and what can be done to help someone find healing.
Mental health conditions of all forms are complex. There is no one way that someone will experience any mental health condition, PTSD included.
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a condition that develops in response to someone experiencing trauma. It has different stages and severities, so, to put it simply, there are different forms of PTSD.
How do these different types of PTSD develop? Does everyone who experiences trauma develop PTSD? Can you have multiple types of PTSD at once?
Trauma is the source of PTSD, but not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD.
There are many treatment programs and facilities that advertise a program that addresses trauma, this is because trauma impacts multiple facets of a person, with or without PTSD.
Trauma comes in many shapes and sizes. It leaves a lasting impact on a person. Trauma is complex, and everyone handles it differently, even if two people have experienced the same thing.
PTSD isn’t trauma, it’s caused by trauma. It’s one of many responses a person may have when living through something traumatic. It also doesn’t appear instantly after the event. For some, it can take weeks, months, or even years for their full reaction to the trauma to set in.
C-PTSD can develop from PTSD, or someone can develop C-PTSD without having PTSD first after going through a traumatic event.
The symptoms of PTSD and C-PTSD have a large overlap. What sets C-PTSD apart, however, is the additional symptoms. These symptoms revolve around emotions and personality and include things such as:
The current research shows that C-PTSD may be more likely to develop if someone has experienced multiple instances of trauma or prolonged exposure to trauma. This diagnosis, separate from PTSD but still relating to it, was proposed in the publication of the ICD-11, which is recognized by the APA and the WHO.
The understanding of C-PTSD is still relatively new. Some professionals may refer to this combination of symptoms as “enduring personality change after a catastrophic event” (EPCACE) or “disorders of express stress not otherwise specified” (DESNOS). Our knowledge of mental health is always evolving. Awareness of new, evidence-based concepts and diagnoses is key to ensuring people get the care they need.
The term “comorbidity” refers to someone who has two or more medical conditions simultaneously. These conditions can be physical or mental and don’t always directly influence each other, but they often can.
For those living with PTSD, it’s very common for them to be living with at least one other condition, too. Research samples recognize a nearly 90% prevalence of at least one comorbidity in those who have PTSD. This includes other mental health conditions as well as physical health conditions.
The most common types of comorbid mental health conditions include major depressive disorder, anxiety, and personality disorders. Alcohol use disorders are also frequently present, with other forms of substance use disorders being spotted as well, but less often.
When it comes to physical health conditions noted alongside PTSD, it’s spotted most commonly in combat veterans but can also be found in the general population. The specific physical ailments are noted across the body as opposed to being focused on specific organs or systems. Everything from bone and joint diseases to cardiovascular conditions, respiratory conditions, and even metabolic diseases can occur.
As we’ve touched on throughout this piece, trauma leaves a different mark on every person. It’s a known factor for developing or worsening any mental health condition. So, instead of listing them all, we’re going to touch on one that’s known to be connected with PTSD, specifically – acute stress disorder.
Unlike PTSD, acute stress disorder (ASD) is a condition that occurs within a few days to a month after someone experiences a traumatic event.
According to the DSM-5, those with ASD will experience symptoms such as negative mood, dissociation, avoidance, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and changes in normal routines. These symptoms will only last a maximum of 4 weeks, otherwise an ASD diagnosis will not be given.
Much like PTSD, not everyone who experiences trauma will develop ASD. However, nearly 80% of individuals who develop ASD will go on to develop PTSD if left untreated. PTSD will not always appear immediately after the cessation of ASD symptoms and can still develop months or years later.
ACEs, or adverse childhood experiences, aren’t a diagnosis but rather a specific type of trauma. They’ve been given their own label not because the traumatic events are different but rather due to the timing. ACEs happen during a person’s developmental years and are strongly connected to changes in brain development and health problems.
Nearly 64% of adults in the US have reported that they’ve lived through ACEs. Many people don’t realize they’ve had any ACEs or don’t recognize them until much later in life. Even if you had a loving family and didn’t live with what many consider to be “traditional” neglect, ACEs can still occur.
Some common examples of ACEs include:
While the impacts of ACEs are still being studied, the CDC recognizes that ACEs can alter brain development, weaken the immune system, and decrease the function of stress-response systems.
Additionally, since ACEs are trauma, they can also influence other mental health conditions, including PTSD.
If you’re looking for Arizona PTSD treatment, there are quality options available for you. PTSD, in all its forms, is a treatable condition. With the help of mental health professionals, you can learn a wide range of skills to be able to manage your symptoms and make your life yours once more.
Depending on your needs, an inpatient mental health program could be the best place to start. This is especially helpful for those who may be living with triggers at home or who are looking for a new place to live as they heal. Inpatient treatment has you staying on-site during your stay, keeping you in a safe and supportive environment where you can focus on healing.
Outpatient treatment is just as pivotal. You go home in the evenings and aren’t on-site every day or all day. This allows people to have support in real time as they face new obstacles and triggers in their daily lives.
If you’re a veteran and your PTSD is tied to your service, finding a quality veteran-specific treatment program is also important. You deserve to go through treatment with people who truly understand not only your needs but also the source of your pain.
There’s no reason to wait, you deserve support now. Our compassionate and driven team of master’s-level physicians at Pinnacle Peak are here and ready to help. Give us a call at 866-377-4761 and let us get you started today.
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