Symptoms, causes, and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

There are experiences that leave a deep mark on us – and they don't always disappear without a trace. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition that can affect your thoughts, feelings, and daily functioning even years after a shocking event. Many people live with the symptoms without knowing: what they are going through is not “oversensitivity,” but a natural response to an extremely stressful experience. The good news is there's a way out – trauma can be processed, and mental balance can be regained.

This article is about what post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is, how to recognize it, and what options are available for symptom treatment.

• PTSD is a complex condition, with diagnosis being a job for specialists.

• Healing is not linear and varies from person to person.

• With professional help and conscious work, those affected can live a full life again.

The aim of the article is to demonstrate: with appropriate diagnosis and expert support, PTSD can be effectively treated, and recovery – though sometimes lengthy – is achievable for everyone.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition that develops following a traumatic event. Such events can include accidents, physical or sexual abuse, war experiences, serious illnesses, natural disasters, or even childbirth. We can experience the traumatic event directly, be witnesses to it, or simply hear about it (e.g., a friend's death under traumatic circumstances, like a nasty accident).

In reality, PTSD is a natural reaction to an abnormal event, during which our coping strategies unfortunately aren't sufficient to process what happened.

Causes of Post-Traumatic Stress Development

It's not the event itself that determines whether someone develops PTSD, but rather the emotional and neurological impact it has. Considering the average population, around 60-70% of people experience some form of trauma in their lifetime, but “only” 7.8% develop PTSD.

Women are twice as likely to develop PTSD compared to men.

Genetic factors may play a role in post-traumatic stress development in up to 30% of cases. The functioning of the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala all influence how vulnerable we are to the stressors we face. Our mental resilience, or resilience, also affects whether we develop this very unpleasant condition.

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD symptoms can vary but typically occur in the following areas:

• Re-experiencing: the event reoccurs in the form of recurring memories, nightmares, or “flashbacks.”

• Avoidance: avoiding situations, people, or conversations that remind you of the trauma.

• Increased Arousal: heightened alertness, irritability, sleep disturbances, concentration difficulties.

• Negative Thoughts and Feelings: self-blame, hopelessness, emotional numbing.

It can also manifest physically: sensation of tension, muscle pain, headaches, digestive issues, fatigue – all these can be signs of constant stress.

Symptoms usually appear within a few weeks after the event, but they can also surface months later.

It is important to distinguish PTSD from acute stress disorder, as the diagnostic criteria for both mental conditions are the same. The difference between them is that in acute stress disorder, symptoms last for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 1 month, whereas post-traumatic stress is diagnosed if symptoms persist for at least 1 month. These symptoms cause clinically significant distress to the individual and affect work, social, and other important areas of life.

Types of Post-Traumatic Stress

PTSD has several subtypes depending on how, when, and for how long the symptoms manifest. This is important because it can play a role in planning treatment, depending on which type it is.

Acute PTSD

This form is present when the symptoms appear shortly after the traumatic event but last for less than three months. During this time, the affected person very intensely relives the trauma, but with appropriate support and therapy, their condition can often improve relatively quickly.

Chronic PTSD

When symptoms persist for more than three months, it is considered chronic PTSD. This form often has a more severe course and deeper establishment. It is more common for associated sleep disorders, depression, or anxiety to be present.

Delayed PTSD

It may happen that no symptoms appear for months or even years after the trauma, but they suddenly emerge after a new stress situation or life event. This can be particularly disturbing because the person may have believed for a long time that they've “gotten over it,” and may not even think their current feelings are still stemming from the past. Some symptoms may appear during the first 6 months following the trauma, but the full diagnostic criteria are usually not met until at least 6 months after the event.

Complex PTSD

The post-traumatic stress disorder arises after experiencing a particularly terrifying or frightening event or series of events. Typically, it was difficult or impossible to escape from these situations, such as torture, genocide, repeated childhood sexual abuse, or physical abuse. Sufferers feel a continuous threat, engage in avoidance, and often re-experience what happened. They experience severe emotion regulation issues, with their self-image being completely negative, for example, experiencing shame and defeat. This results in disruption maintaining social relationships as well as experiencing emotional closeness.

Investigation of Post-Traumatic Stress

The diagnosis of PTSD is the task of a psychologist or psychiatrist, usually based on detailed discussions, symptom questionnaires, and psychological tests. There are also online self-assessment questionnaires that can help recognize the problem, but these do not substitute expert examination. If symptoms are suspicious, it’s advisable to see an expert as soon as possible.

Stages of Trauma Processing

Leonard Horowitz, an American psychologist, was one of the first to describe in detail how trauma processing takes place in psychological functioning. His model breaks the process into five stages, showing that recovery is not linear, but often follows a wavy, recurring pattern.

1. Shock

The first stage after trauma is shock, where a person hasn’t fully grasped what happened. Symptoms can include numbness, emotional emptiness, or hyperactivity – the body is trying to switch to survival mode.

2. Denial and Avoidance

The mind tries to exclude painful memories. The affected person might feel, “it wasn’t that serious,” or as if it didn’t even happen to them. This denial serves as a defense mechanism to prevent an overwhelming flood of emotions.

3. Intrusion

Nevertheless, the trauma creeps back – in thoughts, images, and feelings. Flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety attacks may occur. The person suddenly relives the events, even from small everyday triggers. This stage can be particularly taxing.

4. Working Through and Integration

The next step is when someone – usually with the help of a psychologist – starts consciously processing what happened. Past events are linked with present feelings and thoughts. Experiences lose their paralyzing force and slowly become part of life’s narrative.

5. Reintegration / Adaptation

Trauma no longer dominates thoughts but becomes a – though painful – part of the individual’s identity. The person can live in the present, build relationships, and plan the future again. This stage is not about forgetting but about understanding and acceptance.

Everyone experiences these stages at different paces and manners – there is no “right” or “wrong” way to process, the crucial part is to find something that helps us.

Medical Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress

Treatment of PTSD sometimes involves medication, especially if anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders are strongly present. Antidepressants are most commonly prescribed, but this is always a matter of individual assessment on the recommendation of a psychiatrist. It's important to know that medication does not resolve the trauma, only helps to lessen the symptoms.

Psychoanalysis is best aided by psychotherapy, with a professional who maintains a good relationship with you, accepts you with your traumas, and can uniquely empathize and be attentive.

Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with a Psychologist

Therapy led by a psychologist can assist in understanding the effects of trauma and in finding internal resources for processing it. In a safe environment, under empathetic presence, it is possible to revisit what happened – in a way that gradually loses its paralyzing power.

Several methods have been proven effective in treating PTSD, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), EMDR (eye movement desensitization), or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). We always tailor the right method to the individual needs, evidence of which is some therapeutic approaches are specifically born to address PTSD.

The CPT, for instance, is a trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy developed specifically to treat PTSD. The method was created by Dr. Patricia Resick and colleagues, originally for rape survivors. Later, it proved extremely effective in clinical trials for wounded veterans, abuse victims, natural disaster survivors – in other words, all cases where PTSD emerged following trauma.

CPT is now one of the most recommended and scientifically validated therapeutic methods for treating PTSD – officially recommended by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). It primarily helps individuals process and reassess trauma-related thoughts and beliefs – thus reducing the emotional force of trauma and negative behavioral patterns.

If you feel that the pain of the past is still too present, it’s worth taking action. Don't face your burdens alone – we are here, ready to assist you.

What Happens if We Don’t Treat Post-Traumatic Stress?

Untreated PTSD can seriously affect quality of life in the long run. Sleep disorders, panic attacks, depression, addictions, and relationship difficulties can emerge. Prolonged stress can also lead to physical illnesses, such as cardiovascular problems, or inflammatory conditions.

The longer it remains untreated, the more it can embed itself into everyday life – but it’s never too late to change. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting, it means that the past no longer dominates the present.

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