Psy.D.

It is natural to feel scared and afraid during and after a traumatic situation.  Trauma is an adverse life experience causing emotional distress and upset.  It can be something that happened to you, something you witness or seeing the aftereffects of a horrible or violent event (for example, as a first responder). Exposure to war/combat, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, natural disasters, auto accidents or violent crimes can all cause traumatic reactions leading to PTSD.

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While we tend to think of trauma as horrifying, shocking, or violent events, we are increasingly understanding that the fairly common life situations can be experienced as traumatic.  Things such as a painful divorce or break-up, death of a loved one, a family betrayal, loss of a pet, a significant embarrassment or humiliation, or the experience of distressing failure or rejection can also be traumatic.

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Nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma, and many people naturally recover from these initial symptoms.  Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  PTSD is very common, with over three million people in the U.S. suffering from the disorder every year.  People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they are not in danger.

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PTSD can happen to anyone. It is not a sign of weakness. A number of factors can increase the chance that someone will develop PTSD, many of which are not under that person's control. For example, having a very intense or long-lasting traumatic event or getting injured during the event can make it more likely that a person will develop PTSD. PTSD is also more common after certain types of trauma, like combat and sexual assault. Personal factors, like previous traumatic exposure, age, and gender, can affect whether or not a person will develop PTSD. What happens after the traumatic event is also important. Stress can make PTSD more likely, while social support can make it less likely.