How Do I Know If I Have Trauma or PTSD?

Everyone has difficult and upsetting things happen to them. It's a part of life. But how do you know when it has a lasting impact on you? When does an upsetting experience become PTSD? Let's explore the differences between acute stress, PTSD, and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. We'll recommend when seeking therapy might be the next step toward healing. And finally, we'll talk about a few different ways to heal acute stress, PTSD, and C-PTSD.

What Causes Trauma?

Anything that overwhelms your ability to cope can cause trauma. While life-threatening situations are often triggers for trauma, your life does not need to be in danger to be traumatized. Hearing about upsetting things happening to others can induce trauma through vicarious trauma. Having your livelihood threatened can be traumatic. Social rejection can be traumatic. In short, we don't rule anything out. If it overwhelms your ability to cope, it's traumatic.

Different Reactions To Trauma: Acute Stress, PTSD, and C-PTSD

When something happens to us, we're often shaken up at first. In clinical terms this is called Acute Stress. If that shaken feeling lasts more than a month, it can qualify you for a PTSD diagnosis. And if your PTSD is particularly complicated and stems from a traumatic relationship with your caregivers as a child, you might have C-PTSD.

Understanding Acute Stress

Acute stress is only given as a diagnosis within 30 days of a triggering event. Acute stress is a normal response to a traumatic event or a series of events. It's a natural reaction that triggers the body's "fight or flight" response. It is often characterized by heightened anxiety, emotional distress, and physical symptoms. You may experience disturbance in sleep, apetite, or ability to concentrate or enjoy things.

Signs You Might Be Experiencing Acute Stress:

• The upsetting thing happened in the last 30 days

• Flashbacks or intrusive memories of the traumatic event

• Avoidance of reminders associated with the trauma

• Difficulty concentrating, eating, or sleeping

• Increased irritability and heightened startle response

Does Acute Stress Ever Get Better On Its Own?

Yes, it can resolve on its own. However, you have the best chance of preventing PTSD if you seek treatment immediately after something upsetting happens. An ounce of prevention can be worth its weight in gold.

Understand PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

PTSD is a persistent response to trauma. PTSD symptoms linger well beyond the initial shock, impacting daily life and functioning. It cannot be diagnosed until a month after a triggering event.

Signs You Might Be Experiencing PTSD:

• Recurrent, intrusive thoughts or nightmares about the trauma.

• Emotional numbness and avoidance of activities reminiscent of the traumatic event.

• Hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response.

• Negative changes in mood and cognition, such as persistent feelings of guilt or blame.

• The upsetting thing or experience happened more than a month ago.

Does PTSD Ever Get Better On Its Own?

Sometimes. Lots of factors can go into whether or not PTSD resolves. If you have great support and many resilience factors, your odds go up. But we think you shouldn't have to suffer and hope things will get better someday. You deserve to feel better now.

What Is Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

C-PTSD goes beyond the scope of PTSD and is typically associated with prolonged exposure to trauma. With C-PTSD, the trauma is often interpersonal. It can stem from repeated instances of abuse, neglect, or situations where one's autonomy is violated.

Signs You Might Be Experiencing C-PTSD:

• Challenges in forming and maintaining healthy relationships.

• Distorted self-perception and a pervasive sense of worthlessness.

• Difficulties regulating emotions, leading to intense mood swings.

• Dissociation and a disrupted sense of identity.

Does C-PTSD Ever Get Better On Its Own?

Usually not. Because it stems from attachment trauma, you will likely need a skilled therapist or exceptionally health and patient partner to heal C-PTSD.

When to Seek Trauma Therapy

Recognizing the signs of trauma is a crucial first step, but knowing when to seek therapy is equally important. Consider trauma therapy if you are experiencing:

• Pervasive Intrusive Thoughts. If thoughts related to the traumatic event persist and impact your daily life, therapy can help you manage and process these thoughts.

• Impaired Functioning. If your ability to work, maintain relationships, or engage in daily activities is affected by trauma symptoms, therapy can offer support.

• Emotional Distress. Persistent feelings of fear, anxiety, sadness, or anger related to the traumatic event may indicate the need for therapy.

• Difficulty Coping. If you find it challenging to cope with the aftermath of trauma and feel overwhelmed, therapy can provide a safe space to balance these emotions.

Seeking therapy is a courageous step toward healing. Trauma therapists can help you process, heal, and regain a sense of control over your life.

How Are Acute Stress, PTSD, and C-PTSD Treated In Trauma Therapy?

There are several types of thearpy we recommend for trauma survivors, regardless of diagnosis or experience.

Holistic Therapy: Nourishing The Whole You After Trauma

Holistic therapy is a comprehensive approach to healing trauma. It is called holistic because it recognizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and meaning. It uses various modalities to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a person. You don't have to be spiritual or religious to benefit from holistic therapy. Holistic therapy aims to restore balance and promote overall well-being. The treatment plan is tailored to you. It may involve medical care as well as complementary supports such as movement, mindfulness, and nutritional support.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Rewriting the Narrative

TF-CBT is a structured approach designed for people who have experienced trauma. By combining cognitive-behavioral techniques with trauma-focused interventions, TF-CBT helps you process traumatic memories. It also teaches effective coping skills. This evidence-based approach assists in challenging negative thought patterns and creating a narrative that allows for a healthier perspective. While it was originally designed for children, it has proven effective for people of all ages.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): Rewiring Traumatic Memories

EMDR is a specialized form of therapy that focuses on reprocessing distressing memories. It uses bilateral stimulation to reprocess traumatic experiences, diminishing their impact. When successful, it can eliminate triggers completely. EMDR is particularly effective in alleviating symptoms of PTSD.

Which Approach Is Best For Treating Trauma?

There is no single best approach to treating trauma. Anyone who says there is is suspect, in our opinion. The journey to healing trauma is diverse, and the choice of therapy should align with your preferences and needs. Holistic therapy nourishes the whole self. TF-CBT facilitates narrative reconstruction. EMDR offers a targeted approach to reprocessing traumatic memories. Each modality provides people with the tools and support they need on their path to recovery.

Trauma Therapy In San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Throughout California and Florida

Acute stress, PTSD, and C-PTSD are diverse manifestations of trauma. They each require unique approaches to healing. Understanding whether you have trauma is based on the impact they have, not what happened to you. If you resonate with the signs mentioned above and find your life disrupted by the aftermath of traumatic experiences, seeking therapy can be a transformative step toward healing.

Curious about how therapy can support you on your healing journey? Schedule a free consultation with our trauma therapists to start reclaiming your narrative. Take the first step toward healing today.