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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Throughout life, we all have experiences that are difficult, from mundane daily stressors to the loss of a loved one. While these situations are challenging, we’re typically able to handle them and move on the best that we can. Sometimes, we encounter traumatic events that mark us more deeply and are harder to cope with, such as witnessing or experiencing violence, severe injuries or sexual assault. These experiences can shake us to our core, are not easily set aside, and may lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

PTSD is a mental health condition that can be extremely debilitating, negatively affecting nearly every facet of life. Symptoms often include extreme anxiety, insomnia and mood changes, along with an inability to see people or places that act as reminders of the traumatic event. Many people also struggle to reintegrate back into their daily lives and keep up with the demands of work, home or family. Fortunately, treatment can be very effective in helping individuals learn how to manage the symptoms of PTSD and begin to heal.

At The Guest House, we provide expert trauma-informed care and holistic therapies to help individuals with PTSD process their trauma and overcome its long-term effects. Our treatment plans are highly customized for each client’s needs and address the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional impact of trauma, providing a personalized pathway to hope and healing.

What Is PTSD?

PTSD is a long-term mental health condition that can arise in response to a traumatic experience, such as violence, combat, sexual assault or natural disasters. When we experience trauma, the brain undergoes extreme stress as it tries to process the event, triggering a series of reactions that manifest as PTSD symptoms. Early signs of PTSD typically develop within three months of the traumatic experience, but there is no set timeline for when symptoms begin — sometimes, they may appear years later. Every individual and their experiences are unique. However, once they emerge, the symptoms of PTSD tend to worsen over time without treatment, causing significant distress that interferes with daily life.

PTSD is more common among first responders, military personnel, police officers and others who are more likely to experience or witness violence, but it can happen to anyone who has gone through or been exposed to traumatic events in life, including but not limited to:

  • Physical, sexual or emotional abuse
  • Severe injuries or accidents
  • Childhood trauma, such as neglect or mistreatment
  • Rape or sexual assault
  • Sudden illness or death of a loved one
  • Mugging, robbery or home invasion
  • Natural disasters, such as an earthquake, tornado, hurricane or flood
  • Terrorist events
  • Childbirth experiences
  • Global pandemics, such as COVID-19
  • War violence, street violence or domestic violence

Not everyone who lives through a traumatic event will develop PTSD, but it is normal for people to struggle to return to daily life after such an experience. If the symptoms of PTSD do appear, it’s important to talk to a qualified mental health professional who can evaluate the situation and help to process the trauma effectively. Without treatment, PTSD symptoms can intensify and cause lasting changes in the brain, leaving it in a constant state of hyperarousal.

PTSD Symptoms

PTSD manifests as extreme stress or anxiety that can make normal functioning uncomfortable, difficult or downright impossible. It involves a range of symptoms that may include depressive moods, involuntarily re-experiencing the event (flashbacks), and uncontrollable or dissociative reactions to trauma-related triggers. Typically, the symptoms of PTSD are grouped into four distinct categories, and individuals may experience some types of symptoms more strongly than others. However, this can vary over time.

Intrusive Thoughts/Memories

These involve involuntary, recurrent thoughts regarding the traumatic experience and a resurgence of the related feelings or memories. Symptoms in this category may include:

  • Reliving the trauma as if it were re-occurring (flashbacks)
  • Recurring nightmares or upsetting dreams about the traumatic event
  • Severe emotional distress or strong physical reactions to anything that reminds you of the traumatic event
  • Unwanted thoughts or memories related to the traumatic event

Avoidance

This involves avoiding people, places, situations or activities that could be triggering and remind you of the traumatic experience. Symptoms in this category may include:

  • Isolating from friends and family
  • Avoiding discussing or thinking about the traumatic event
  • Feelings of detachment or dissociation

Hyperarousal/Reactivity

Hyperarousal and reactivity involve constantly feeling “on edge,” often accompanied by intense physical or emotional reactions. Symptoms in this category may include:

  • Exaggerated startle reactions 
  • Always being on guard for potential danger
  • Increased irritability and angry outbursts

Negative Thinking

After a traumatic event, negative changes in mood or distorted thinking can occur that have an effect on normal functioning. Symptoms in this category may include:

  • Overwhelming feelings of guilt or shame about the traumatic event
  • Hopelessness, detachment and difficulty experiencing positive emotions 
  • Trouble trusting others and maintaining healthy relationships

While these symptoms are distinctive to PTSD, not everyone will exhibit them to the same degree, or even in obvious ways. Numerous patterns and combinations are possible depending on each individual’s experience. Additionally, PTSD can cause “hidden” mental health concerns such as feelings of loneliness, emotional numbness and self-defeating behaviors. Symptoms can be carefully managed with the right treatment, but may still flare up at times, especially during periods of increased stress at work or home. They may also be triggered by seeing or hearing something that reminds you of the traumatic event.

Does Trauma Always Lead to PTSD?

Not all trauma results in PTSD, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t had a significant impact on the mind and body. No one is immune to trauma and how it changes the brain. However, the effects of trauma can vary from person to person, depending on factors such as the length or severity of the event, your individual temperament and how your body responds to stress.

Most symptoms of trauma are disruptive to normal functioning and may lead to a variety of mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts or memories, feeling on edge, an increased risk of substance abuse, insomnia, intense emotions, isolation from friends or family and more. Some of the effects can also be more subtle and inform the way we see the world or relate to others, often without our awareness or knowledge.

At The Guest House, our goal is to help individuals understand how their past experiences map onto their present state of being and process their trauma in effective ways. We utilize highly personalized care options tailored to each client’s needs to identify the wounds of trauma and help them heal while carefully managing the long-term symptoms it can cause.

PTSD Treatment at The Guest House

Many people who have experienced trauma will hide their symptoms from their loved ones and try to deal with it on their own. This can result in them developing maladaptive coping mechanisms and engaging in self-defeating behaviors such as substance use to numb the pain. At The Guest House, we help individuals process their trauma in healthier ways, using a variety of holistic and evidence-based therapies to promote lasting recovery. Our team of licensed and experienced clinicians works closely with each client to craft personalized treatment plans that resonate with them and address the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of healing. This comprehensive approach helps individuals not only manage their symptoms but also begin to rebuild a life filled with hope, purpose and happiness. 

Some of the tailored techniques we utilize to treat PTSD may include:

Throughout treatment, we also address co-occurring disorders such as depression, anxiety and substance use that often appear alongside PTSD to help individuals break free from the cycle of suffering. We know that each client has their own unique past experiences and individual needs for healing, so our programs are flexible and deeply personalized just for them. At The Guest House, our goal is not just symptom management, but holistic healing that fosters improved resilience and promotes lasting recovery from trauma.