0800 - 222 444 6
Types of PTSD
PTSD and the symptoms
Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event can have enormous impact your body and mind. Feeling stressed after a shocking event is a normal, logical reaction. When it results in PTSD, the symptoms can be overwhelming and can keep you from living a normal, healthy life. However, none of these symptoms have to be permanent. You can recover from PTSD with the right treatment.
The normal stress response is your natural reaction to (perceived) danger. However, it does not necessarily lead to mental illness. A normal stress response leads to a fight, flight or freeze response. This means that adrenaline flows through your body and you are ready to fight or leave the situation you are currently in.
This type of stress response can occur as a result of illness, injury or accidents, causing your stress level to skyrocket. When the "danger" subsides, the body's nervous, endocrine and immune systems must return to their normal state.
Normal Stress Response
Types of PTSD
Acute Stress Disorder
This disorder is also not the same as PTSD, but it can occur after you have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, and even if you find out that a loved one has experienced a traumatic event. Unlike a normal stress reaction, acute stress disorder can lead to PTSD if left untreated.
Acute stress disorder, or ASD, is a trauma- or stressor-related disorder. Symptoms are similar to those of PTSD, except that acute stress disorder typically persists 3 days to a month after the traumatic experience. PTSD lasts at least a month, either as a continuation of ASD or as a separate disorder that begins up to six months after the traumatic event(s). Acute stress disorder is treatable without leading to PTSD. Individual and/or group therapy, drug treatment and intensive treatment put together by a mental health professional can help.
Single PTSD
Single PTSD is linked to a single traumatic event, as opposed to multiple traumatic events. Moreover, it is one of the most common types to be diagnosed. It can cause you to try to avoid places and people that remind you of the trauma, have nightmares, flashbacks or mood swings or feel irritable.
This type of PTSD is usually treated with therapy, medication or both. But the most important part of this mental disorder is that - if treated in time - it is less likely to coexist with other mental disorders such as depression, for example.
PTSD with Dissociative Symptoms
PTSD can occur in combination with dissociative symptoms, depersonalization or derealization and emotional detachment. However, these symptoms also occur in other mental disorders. Moreover, these dissociative symptoms it may manifest as dissociative flashbacks, memory loss and severe PTSD symptoms.
Exposure therapy, such as cognitive processing therapy, long-term exposure therapy, EMDR and Narrative Exposure Therapy can help you recover.
Complex PTSD
With Complex PTSD, or CPTSS, you typically have more complex symptoms and more severe symptoms. Complex PTSD is often seen as the counterpart of single PTSD. However, this is not the counterpart of complex PTSD. CPTSD differs from PTSD in intensity and duration. It can be caused by a single traumatic event or by multiple traumatic events or can be traced to (early) childhood trauma. The symptoms overlap with symptoms of "ordinary" PTSD, but because of its complex nature, it requires more intensive treatment. In addition, it often takes longer for treatment to show results.
If you suffer from CPTSS, you may experience a variety of symptoms and behavioral problems. Want to know more about complex PTSD, its causes, symptoms and treatment? We give you more informtation our page on CPTSD.
Comorbid PTSD
Comorbid PTSD refers to having several disorders at the same time, or multiple problems. When a client is diagnosed with more than one psychological disorder, including a type of PTSD, the term "comorbidity" is used as a general term for the collection of psychological problems. Multiple problems are also common in addictions.
To recover from this comorbidity in PTSD, both the PTSD and the underlying or coexisting mental health problems must be treated simultaneously.
Recovering from PTSD at U-center
Our experts have extensive experience in treating PTSD. U-center also pays great attention to creating a safe environment to recover from mental disorders. In addition, we specialize in comorbidity. Each client is unique and therefore the treatment plan is customized.
Based on your needs, our team of mental health professionals will create a treatment plan with various therapies to help you recover. The beautiful surroundings of our clinic and various activities in addition to therapy will also help you quickly return to your normal life.
Please contact us without obligation. We will be happy to give you more information about your application, a treatment program or admission at U-center.