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759 <div id="block-pt-content" class="block"> 760 761 762 763 764<!-- is_first_page: 1 --> 765<!-- recent_posts_offset: 0 --> 766<!-- recent_posts_items_per_page: 10 --> 767<!-- recent_posts: 1 --> 768 <!-- recent_posts_argument: 5053639+5052898+5052515+5052510 --> 769 <!-- recent_posts_argument: 53868 --> 770<article data-history-node-id="53868" class="basics-full"> 771 <div class="content-header d-flex reference-header"> 772 <div class="content-header--image"> 773 774 <article> 775 776 777 <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_75x75/public/2021-02/shutterstock_1444221992.jpg?itok=YOeE7S_9" width="75" height="75" alt="fizkes/Shutterstock" title="fizkes/Shutterstock" /> 778 779 780 781 782 </article> 783 784 785 </div> 786 787 <div class="content-header--text"> 788 <h1 class="reference__title section-title">Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder</h1> 789 <p class="content-header--synonyms text-teaser-byline">PTSD</p> 790 791 <p class="reference__review-info fine-print"> 792 <a href="/us/docs/editorial-process" class="reference__review-info-link"> 793 <span class="reference__review-info-icon"></span> 794 <span class="reference__review-info-text">Reviewed by Tyler Woods on November 17, 2025</span> 795 </a> 796 </p> 797 </div> 798 </div> 799 800 <div> 801 802 <div class="reference__body"> 803 804<div class="field-name-body"> 805 <p><span>Post-<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/trauma" title="Psychology Today looks at traumatic" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">traumatic</a> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/stress" title="Psychology Today looks at stress" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">stress</a> disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops in response to experiencing or witnessing a distressing event involving the threat of death or extreme bodily harm. Examples of traumatic events that can trigger PTSD include <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/sexual-abuse" title="Psychology Today looks at sexual assault" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">sexual assault</a>, physical violence, and military combat. PTSD can also occur in the wake of a motor vehicle accident, a natural disaster (e.g., fire, earthquake, flood), a medical emergency (e.g., having an anaphylactic reaction), or any sudden, disruptive incident.</span></p> 806 </div> 807 808 </div> 809 810 811 <div class="table-of-contents border-top"> 812 <h4 class="table-of-contents--title">Contents</h4> 813 <ul> 814 <li class="table-of-contents--item"> 815 <a href="#what-is-post-traumatic-stress-disorder"> 816 What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? 817 </a> 818 </li> 819 <li class="table-of-contents--item"> 820 <a href="#what-are-the-symptoms-of-ptsd"> 821 What Are the Symptoms of PTSD? 822 </a> 823 </li> 824 <li class="table-of-contents--item"> 825 <a href="#ptsd-and-the-human-brain"> 826 PTSD and the Human Brain 827 </a> 828 </li> 829 <li class="table-of-contents--item"> 830 <a href="#treatment-for-ptsd"> 831 Treatment for PTSD 832 </a> 833 </li> 834 </ul> 835 </div> 836 837 838 <div class="reference__sections"> 839 <div> 840 <div> <div class="section section--separator"> 841 <div id="what-is-post-traumatic-stress-disorder" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> 842 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 843 <h2 class="section-title" itemprop="name"> 844 What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? 845 </h2> 846 <div class="section__body" itemscope itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"> 847 848 <article> 849 850 851 <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2021-02/shutterstock_1836398212.jpg?itok=S-9C-W8r" width="180" height="180" alt="Prostock-studio/Shutterstock" title="Prostock-studio/Shutterstock" /> 852 853 854 855 856 </article> 857 858 859 <div itemprop="text"> 860 861 <p><span><span>PTSD has likely existed throughout human history. During World War I, it was known as “shell shock” and was first thought to affect only soldiers. PTSD was officially recognized as a mental health disorder in 1980. Researchers believe that the changes to body and mind that occur in PTSD reflect an attempt of the system to protect the person from further experiences of danger. </span></span></p> 862<p><span><span>Anyone who has survived a deeply disturbing experience of any kind can develop PTSD symptoms. PTSD is characterized by vivid, intrusive memories of the precipitating event, hypervigilance and hyper-reactivity to possible threats, nightmares, and mood disturbances. Those suffering from PTSD often report feeling anxious or scared even in the absence of danger, as if it could strike at any time. </span></span></p> 863<p><span><span>
863The condition may manifest in <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/anxiety" title="Psychology Today looks at anxiety" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">anxiety</a>-like symptoms, emotional numbness or dysphoria, anger and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/anger" title="Psychology Today looks at aggression" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">aggression</a>, or some combination of those states. It can feel like the normal <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/stress" title="Psychology Today looks at stress" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">stress</a> response is locked into permanent overdrive, and those with PTSD often find it difficult to function normally in everyday life. </span></span></p> 864 865 </div> 866 </div> 867 </div> 868 869 870<div class="faqs"> 871 <div class="faq faq--1"> 872 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 873 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 874 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 875 876 How common is PTSD? 877 878 </div> 879 <div class="faq--control-container"> 880 <button class="faq--control"> 881 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 882 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 883 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 884 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 885 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 886 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 887 <defs></defs> 888 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 889 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 890 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 891 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 892 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 893 <polygon id="navigatedown" 894 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 895 </g> 896 </g> 897 </g> 898 </g> 899 </svg> 900 </div> 901 </button> 902 </div> 903 </div> 904 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 905 <div itemprop="text"> 906 907 <p>Many people experience a <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/trauma" title="Psychology Today looks at traumatic" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">traumatic</a> event at some point in their lives, although only a small proportion of them develop PTSD. In the United States, about 3.5 percent of people may have the disorder, including children. For some, the stimulus is not one distressing incident but a series of incidents occurring over a period of time, as may be the case with <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/sex" title="Psychology Today looks at sexual" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">sexual</a> or physical abuse during <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/child-development" title="Psychology Today looks at childhood" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">childhood</a>. The prevalence of the disorder is higher among veterans of combat, ranging from 10 to 30 percent. About half of those with PTSD recover within three months, but for many others, the condition becomes chronic.</p> 908 909 </div> 910 </div> 911 </div> 912 913 </div> 914 <div class="faq faq--2"> 915 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 916 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 917 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 918 919 What are the risk factors for PTSD? 920 921 </div> 922 <div class="faq--control-container"> 923 <button class="faq--control"> 924 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 925 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 926 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 927 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 928 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 929 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 930 <defs></defs> 931 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 932 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 933 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 934 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 935 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 936 <polygon id="navigatedown" 937 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 938 </g> 939 </g> 940 </g> 941 </g> 942 </svg> 943 </div> 944 </button> 945 </div> 946 </div>
947 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 948 <div itemprop="text"> 949 950 <p>Research shows that some people <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201910/the-quest-cure-ptsd">are at higher risk than others</a> for PTSD. Most vulnerable are persons who have a history of multiple adverse experiences or mental difficulties. Having little social support or recurrent ongoing life stress are also risk factors. Physical impairment and job loss add to the risk.</p> 951 952 </div> 953 </div> 954 </div> 955 956 </div> 957 <div class="faq faq--3 collapsed faq--last"> 958 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 959 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 960 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 961 962 How long does PTSD last? 963 964 </div> 965 <div class="faq--control-container"> 966 <button class="faq--control"> 967 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 968 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 969 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 970 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 971 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 972 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 973 <defs></defs> 974 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 975 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 976 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 977 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 978 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 979 <polygon id="navigatedown" 980 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 981 </g> 982 </g> 983 </g> 984 </g> 985 </svg> 986 </div> 987 </button> 988 </div> 989 </div> 990 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 991 <div itemprop="text"> 992 993 <p>Experiencing distress, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/fear" title="Psychology Today looks at fear" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">fear</a>, anxiety, shock, and other negative emotions is normal in the immediate aftermath of a disturbing incident. A diagnosis of PTSD is generally considered if such symptoms persist for at least a month and interfere with daily functioning. PTSD symptoms can last anywhere from months to years following the originating trauma and can be exacerbated by exposure to more trauma.</p> 994 995 </div> 996 </div> 997 </div> 998 999 </div> 1000 </div> 1001 1002 1003 1004 </div> 1005</div> 1006 <div class="pt-ad pt-ad--300x250 d-block d-none d-md-block d-lg-none block" id="block-ad-subpage-300x250-programmatically-rendered"> 1007 1008 1009 <div class="pt-ad--container pt-ad-show-text"> 1010 <div class="pt-ad--text"> 1011 <span>article continues after advertisement</span> 1012 </div> 1013 <div id="div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9" class="pt-ad--content"> 1014
1014<script type="text/javascript"> 1015 if (!window.ptAdSlots || window.ptAdSlots.length === 0) { 1016 window.ptAdSlots = []; 1017 } 1018 window.ptAdSlots.push('div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9') 1019 </script>
1019 1020 </div> 1021</div> 1022 1023 </div> 1024 1025 <div> <div class="section section--separator"> 1026 <div id="what-are-the-symptoms-of-ptsd" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> 1027 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 1028 <h2 class="section-title" itemprop="name"> 1029 What Are the Symptoms of PTSD? 1030 </h2> 1031 <div class="section__body" itemscope itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"> 1032 1033 <article> 1034 1035 1036 <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/shutterstock_760771735.jpg?itok=KjqBmyFI" width="180" height="180" alt="lesterman/Shutterstock" title="lesterman/Shutterstock" /> 1037 1038 1039 1040 1041 </article> 1042 1043 1044 <div itemprop="text"> 1045 1046 <p><span><span>Those with PTSD suffer from classic anxiety symptoms, such as <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/insomnia" title="Psychology Today looks at insomnia" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">insomnia</a> and worry. They are hypervigilant and constantly alert to possible dangers. Typically, they have an exaggerated startle response. Unexpected sound or movement can provoke a strong, violent reaction, as if the precipitating danger were happening again that instant. That original traumatic event is often recalled spontaneously in flashbacks of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/memory" title="Psychology Today looks at memory" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">memory</a> so vivid and intense that the person feels as if they are living through the situation again in the present. They may even feel the same panic, dread, and terror that were originally evoked.</span></span></p> 1047<p><span><span>Anxiety is not the only form of distress sufferers experience. Disrupted mood is common, and people often feel the <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/guilt" title="Psychology Today looks at guilt" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">guilt</a> and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/shame" title="Psychology Today looks at shame" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">shame</a> typical of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/depression" title="Psychology Today looks at depression" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">depression</a>. Some people with PTSD may experience apathy or detachment from others. They may also regard others with suspicion and display hostility. Those with PTSD may find it difficult to trust anyone.</span></span></p> 1048<p><span><span>In an attempt to feel safe, many with PTSD withdraw from the normal activities of life altogether as a way to avoid reminders of the trauma, which tend to occur randomly. Some seek relief by consuming <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/alcohol" title="Psychology Today looks at alcohol" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">alcohol</a> or other drugs. There is no guarantee that PTSD symptoms will go away on their own or lessen with time, but there are resources that can help people regain a good quality of life. </span></span></p> 1049<p><span><span><strong><em>For more information on symptoms, causes, and treatment of PTSD, see our <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder">Diagnosis Dictionary</a>.</em></strong></span></span></p> 1050 1051 </div> 1052 </div> 1053 </div> 1054 1055 1056<div class="faqs"> 1057 <div class="faq faq--1"> 1058 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 1059 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 1060 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 1061 1062 How is PTSD diagnosed? 1063 1064 </div> 1065 <div class="faq--control-container"> 1066 <button class="faq--control"> 1067 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 1068 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 1069 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 1070 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 1071 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 1072 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 1073 <defs></defs> 1074 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 1075 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 1076 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 1077 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 1078 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 1079 <polygon id="navigatedown" 1080 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 1081 </g> 1082 </g> 1083 </g> 1084 </g> 1085 </svg> 1086 </div> 1087 </button> 1088 </div> 1089 </div>
1090 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 1091 <div itemprop="text"> 1092 1093 <p>Consultation with a mental health professional, who conducts an assessment of symptoms, is essential for someone concerned about having post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is a clinical diagnosis, meaning that<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-many-faces-anxiety-and-trauma/201904/how-do-we-diagnose-ptsd"> PTSD</a> is diagnosed by observing a person’s symptoms. Anyone who has been exposed to trauma and who finds that the experience interferes with daily functioning for more than a month may be diagnosed with PTSD.</p> 1094 1095 </div> 1096 </div> 1097 </div> 1098 1099 </div> 1100 <div class="faq faq--2"> 1101 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 1102 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 1103 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 1104 1105 How do I know if I have PTSD? 1106 1107 </div> 1108 <div class="faq--control-container"> 1109 <button class="faq--control"> 1110 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 1111 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 1112 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 1113 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 1114 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 1115 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 1116 <defs></defs> 1117 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 1118 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 1119 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 1120 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 1121 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 1122 <polygon id="navigatedown" 1123 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 1124 </g> 1125 </g> 1126 </g> 1127 </g> 1128 </svg> 1129 </div> 1130 </button> 1131 </div> 1132 </div> 1133 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 1134 <div itemprop="text"> 1135 1136 <p>One of the most <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/free-range-psychology/202010/5-common-myths-about-ptsd">common myths about PTSD</a> is that everyone who goes through trauma will develop post-traumatic stress disorder. While it’s completely normal to experience PTSD-like symptoms immediately following a traumatic event, these usually resolve within a month, especially if the individual receives strong emotional support. PTSD symptoms often overlap with acute stress disorder (ASD), an intense but brief psychological reaction to a traumatic or life-altering event that doesn’t persist after 30 days.</p> 1137 1138 </div> 1139 </div> 1140 </div> 1141 1142 </div> 1143 <div class="faq faq--3 collapsed"> 1144 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 1145 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 1146 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 1147 1148 Can PTSD be prevented? 1149 1150 </div> 1151 <div class="faq--control-container"> 1152 <button class="faq--control"> 1153 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 1154 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 1155 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 1156 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 1157 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 1158 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 1159 <defs></defs> 1160 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 1161 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 1162 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 1163 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 1164 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 1165 <polygon id="navigatedown" 1166 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 1167 </g> 1168 </g> 1169 </g> 1170 </g> 1171 </svg> 1172 </div> 1173 </button> 1174 </div> 1175 </div>
1176 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 1177 <div itemprop="text"> 1178 1179 <p>PTSD reflects the response of the human <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/neuroscience" title="Psychology Today looks at nervous system" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">nervous system</a> to a disturbing experience. Such experiences tend to be highly unpredictable, so that there is no way to predict whether a person will develop the disorder. Researchers have instead focused on delineating general and specific factors that make individuals vulnerable or resilient in the face of many kinds of adversity.</p> 1180 1181 </div> 1182 </div> 1183 </div> 1184 1185 </div> 1186 <div class="faq faq--4 collapsed"> 1187 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 1188 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 1189 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 1190 1191 What makes people vulnerable to PTSD? 1192 1193 </div> 1194 <div class="faq--control-container"> 1195 <button class="faq--control"> 1196 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 1197 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 1198 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 1199 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 1200 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 1201 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 1202 <defs></defs> 1203 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 1204 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 1205 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 1206 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 1207 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 1208 <polygon id="navigatedown" 1209 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 1210 </g> 1211 </g> 1212 </g> 1213 </g> 1214 </svg> 1215 </div> 1216 </button> 1217 </div> 1218 </div> 1219 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 1220 <div itemprop="text"> 1221 1222 <p>While it’s impossible to predict a person’s response to trauma, certain risk factors can make it harder for some people to cope and thus more likely for them to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. These can include problems managing emotions, the presence of other mental health conditions, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/adverse-childhood-experiences" title="Psychology Today looks at adverse childhood experiences" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">adverse childhood experiences</a> (e.g., parental separation or death, financial difficulty, a dysfunctional family), and having previously survived one or more traumatic incidents. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201809/why-women-have-higher-rates-ptsd-men">Women have higher rates of PTSD than men</a>. Professions where individuals are exposed to stress and danger on a regular basis, such as law enforcement and medicine, can increase the likelihood of getting PTSD. Intergenerational trauma and a person’s cultural background may also play a role. </p> 1223 1224 </div> 1225 </div> 1226 </div> 1227 1228 </div> 1229 <div class="faq faq--5 collapsed faq--last"> 1230 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 1231 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 1232 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 1233 1234 What makes people resistant to PTSD? 1235 1236 </div> 1237 <div class="faq--control-container"> 1238 <button class="faq--control"> 1239 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 1240 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 1241 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 1242 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 1243 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 1244 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 1245 <defs></defs> 1246 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 1247 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 1248 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 1249 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 1250 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 1251 <polygon id="navigatedown" 1252 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 1253 </g> 1254 </g> 1255 </g> 1256 </g> 1257 </svg> 1258 </div> 1259 </button> 1260 </div> 1261 </div>
1262 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 1263 <div itemprop="text"> 1264 1265 <p>Studies have identified factors that make people resilient in the face of many kinds of adversity. Researchers on a <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201910/the-quest-cure-ptsd">quest to cure PTSD</a> observe that in some cases, such as combat, advance preparation can be protective. For example, stress-inoculation therapy, which uses imagery and video simulations to expose people to a progression of challenging circumstances, can help individuals cultivate coping skills. The training seeks to develop cognitive flexibility and a sense of control over one’s own stress response, both skills that can boost <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/resilience" title="Psychology Today looks at resilience" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">resilience</a> in the face of trauma. </p> 1266 1267 </div> 1268 </div> 1269 </div> 1270 1271 </div> 1272 </div> 1273 1274 1275 1276 </div> 1277</div> 1278 <div> <div class="section section--separator"> 1279 <div id="ptsd-and-the-human-brain" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> 1280 <h2 class="section-title"> 1281 PTSD and the Human Brain 1282 </h2> 1283 <div class="section__body"> 1284 1285 <article> 1286 1287 1288 <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2019-10/shutterstock_1132735526.jpg?itok=H5RcYRLG" width="180" height="180" alt="Andrii Vodolazhskyi/Shutterstock" title="Andrii Vodolazhskyi/Shutterstock" /> 1289 1290 1291 1292 1293 </article> 1294 1295 1296 1297 <p><span><span>Researchers are intensely investigating what trauma does to the brain, in the hope of developing effective treatments for PTSD. Scientists know that in PTSD, the stress circuitry in the brain goes awry, disrupting communication between several brain centers. These include the amygdala, which normally monitors incoming perceptions and red-flags threats, putting systems on high alert and setting off the stress response; the prefrontal cortex, or executive control center of the brain, which normally senses when a threat is over and dampens amygdala activity; and the hippocampus, where memories are stored and retrieved.</span></span></p> 1298<p><span><span>Scientists find that in PTSD, the prefrontal cortex is underactivated, and the amygdala is overactivated. There is evidence that a core problem lies in the connections between individual nerve cells, or synapses; there is a deficit in connectivity, limiting communication between nerve cells. As a result, individuals with PTSD lose psychological flexibility: They stay stuck in an over-the-top response pattern, and their memories resist the modification that normally occurs over time.</span></span></p> 1299 1300 </div> 1301 1302 1303<div class="faqs"> 1304 <div class="faq faq--1"> 1305 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 1306 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 1307 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 1308 1309 What brain regions are involved in PTSD? 1310 1311 </div> 1312 <div class="faq--control-container"> 1313 <button class="faq--control"> 1314 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 1315 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 1316 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 1317 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 1318 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 1319 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 1320 <defs></defs> 1321 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 1322 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 1323 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 1324 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 1325 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 1326 <polygon id="navigatedown" 1327 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 1328 </g> 1329 </g> 1330 </g> 1331 </g> 1332 </svg> 1333 </div> 1334 </button> 1335 </div> 1336 </div>
1337 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 1338 <div itemprop="text"> 1339 1340 <p>PTSD is a whole-brain disorder that involves the <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201909/understanding-brain-circuits-fear-stress-and-anxiety">brain circuits of fear, stress, and anxiety</a>. The amygdala (which sets off the fight-or-flight response) becomes <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/adhd" title="Psychology Today looks at hyperactive" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">hyperactive</a>. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex (the CEO, or <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/executive-function" title="Psychology Today looks at executive functioning" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">executive functioning</a> center of the brain) grows sluggish or lacks sufficient neural connections with the amygdala to calm down the fear response. In people with PTSD, the hippocampus (the verbal memory center) tends to be smaller than normal and yet more active in response to perceived threats. </p> 1341 1342 </div> 1343 </div> 1344 </div> 1345 1346 </div> 1347 <div class="faq faq--2"> 1348 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 1349 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 1350 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 1351 1352 How does PTSD affect normal brain functioning? 1353 1354 </div> 1355 <div class="faq--control-container"> 1356 <button class="faq--control"> 1357 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 1358 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 1359 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 1360 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 1361 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 1362 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 1363 <defs></defs> 1364 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 1365 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 1366 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 1367 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 1368 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 1369 <polygon id="navigatedown" 1370 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 1371 </g> 1372 </g> 1373 </g> 1374 </g> 1375 </svg> 1376 </div> 1377 </button> 1378 </div> 1379 </div> 1380 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 1381 <div itemprop="text"> 1382 1383 <p>In response to an overactive amygdala and underactive prefrontal cortex, the brain releases large amounts of norepinephrine in the presence of perceived danger. This <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201809/how-ptsd-and-trauma-affect-your-brain-functioning">can affect brain functioning</a> in several ways, leading to hyperarousal, hypervigilance, and increased wakefulness and disrupted sleep. PTSD sufferers may also find that when they are emotionally aroused, they have little control over their reactive anger and impulsive behaviors. The weight of negative emotions such as fear and anger can diminish positive feelings and create problems at work and in personal relationships.</p> 1384 1385 </div> 1386 </div> 1387 </div> 1388 1389 </div> 1390 <div class="faq faq--3 collapsed faq--last"> 1391 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 1392 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 1393 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 1394 1395 Does post-traumatic stress disorder show up on a brain scan? 1396 1397 </div> 1398 <div class="faq--control-container"> 1399 <button class="faq--control"> 1400 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 1401 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 1402 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 1403 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 1404 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 1405 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 1406 <defs></defs> 1407 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 1408 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 1409 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 1410 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 1411 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 1412 <polygon id="navigatedown" 1413 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 1414 </g> 1415 </g> 1416 </g> 1417 </g> 1418 </svg> 1419 </div> 1420 </button> 1421 </div> 1422 </div>
1423 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 1424 <div itemprop="text"> 1425 1426 <p>Yes, the brain scans of people with PTSD are different than those without this condition. For starters, the hippocampus (the center of memories and emotions in the brain) shows reduced volume, and heightened activity appears in the amygdala (which is involved in the body’s fear response). However, it’s important to note that <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-many-faces-anxiety-and-trauma/201904/how-do-we-diagnose-ptsd">PTSD is not diagnosed </a>from brain scans. Only a medical professional can diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder based on a patient’s clinical symptoms.</p> 1427 1428 </div> 1429 </div> 1430 </div> 1431 1432 </div> 1433 </div> 1434 1435 1436 1437 </div> 1438</div> 1439 <div> <div class="section section--separator"> 1440 <div id="treatment-for-ptsd" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> 1441 <h2 class="section-title"> 1442 Treatment for PTSD 1443 </h2> 1444 <div class="section__body"> 1445 1446 <article> 1447 1448 1449 <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2019-10/shutterstock_362454791.jpg?itok=wIxCr9wD" width="180" height="180" alt="Emily C. McCormick/Shutterstock" title="Emily C. McCormick/Shutterstock" /> 1450 1451 1452 1453 1454 </article> 1455 1456 1457 1458 <p><span><span><strong>Therapy </strong></span></span></p> 1459<p><span><span>Treatment for PTSD usually centers around talk therapy, </span></span><span><span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/therapy" title="Psychology Today looks at Psychotherapy" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">Psychotherapy</a>, particularly <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/cognitive-behavioral-therapy" title="Psychology Today looks at cognitive behavioral" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">cognitive behavioral</a> therapy, has proven to be one of the most reliable treatments for PTSD. It consists of several parts: exposure therapy, stress inoculation training, and cognitive reappraisal. One major goal is to restore cognitive flexibility so that sufferers can talk about their bad experiences and modify the emotional force of the memory. </span></span><span><span>Underlying such improvements are increases in nerve-cell connectivity, a hallmark of all effective therapies. </span></span></p> 1460<p><span><span>New forms of treatment are under development that combine talk therapy and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/psychopharmacology" title="Psychology Today looks at medication" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">medication</a> in innovative ways for the 50 percent of sufferers whose symptoms are not relieved by current strategies. Some of the most promising new approaches involve psychedelic drugs.</span></span></p> 1461<p><span><span><strong>Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy</strong></span></span></p> 1462<p><span><span>Psychedelic drugs are being tried under controlled conditions to boost the power of psychotherapy. Taken under the guidance of a trained psychotherapist, such drugs are helping patients process the distressing emotions associated with their traumatic experience so that they are no longer constantly on the lookout for and hyperreactive to signs of danger. </span></span></p> 1463<p><span><span>One such drug is the anesthetic ketamine, sometimes known as the club drug <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/ketamine" title="Psychology Today looks at Special K" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">Special K</a>; it is already approved for use in treating severe depression. When given (by injection) in concert with a specific program of psychotherapy, it has been shown to significantly speed recovery from PTSD, accomplishing in days what might otherwise take months.</span></span></p> 1464<p><span><span>Also under study for such use is MDMA, also known as Ecstasy or Molly. When given to PTSD patients just before a therapy session, researchers find it dramatically speeds up the therapeutic process. It allows even those with chronic PTSD to talk about deeply disturbing events and regain control of their reactivity.</span></span></p> 1465 1466 </div> 1467 1468 1469<div class="faqs"> 1470 <div class="faq faq--1"> 1471 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 1472 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 1473 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 1474 1475 What is trauma-informed therapy? 1476 1477 </div> 1478 <div class="faq--control-container"> 1479 <button class="faq--control"> 1480 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 1481 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 1482 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 1483 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 1484 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 1485 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 1486 <defs></defs> 1487 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 1488 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 1489 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 1490 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 1491 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 1492 <polygon id="navigatedown" 1493 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 1494 </g> 1495 </g> 1496 </g> 1497 </g> 1498 </svg> 1499 </div> 1500 </button> 1501 </div> 1502 </div>
1503 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 1504 <div itemprop="text"> 1505 1506 <p>Trauma-informed therapists recognize the signs of PTSD and focus on treating the whole person. They understand that someone’s experiences, particularly traumatic ones, can affect their entire lives, increasing their risk of physical and mental health issues. Trauma-informed therapists apply their knowledge of trauma and its effects in treating patients, with an eye to avoiding re-traumatization. However, trauma experts caution not to fall for <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stress-relief/201803/the-myth-trauma-informed-care">the myth of trauma-informed care</a>: Not all individuals who have experienced trauma develop PTSD, and PTSD is not necessarily the main causal factor in future problems, such as incarceration, poverty, joblessness, or homelessness.</p> 1507 1508 </div> 1509 </div> 1510 </div> 1511 1512 </div> 1513 <div class="faq faq--2"> 1514 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 1515 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 1516 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 1517 1518 How does psychedelic-assisted treatment for PTSD work? 1519 1520 </div> 1521 <div class="faq--control-container"> 1522 <button class="faq--control"> 1523 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 1524 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 1525 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 1526 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 1527 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 1528 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 1529 <defs></defs> 1530 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 1531 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 1532 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 1533 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 1534 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 1535 <polygon id="navigatedown" 1536 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 1537 </g> 1538 </g> 1539 </g> 1540 </g> 1541 </svg> 1542 </div> 1543 </button> 1544 </div> 1545 </div> 1546 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 1547 <div itemprop="text"> 1548 1549 <p>Psychedelics like <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/balanced/201910/can-mdma-help-patients-ptsd">MDMA (also known as ecstasy or Molly) can help patients with PTSD</a> reconsolidate traumatic memories. PTSD sufferers experience unpredictable flashbacks to the traumatic event and often re-live the same stress, fear, and other negative emotions as if they are happening in real-time. Given in combination with therapy, psychedelics help patients get the emotional distance from their traumatic memories that they need in order to process them and heal. </p> 1550 1551 </div> 1552 </div> 1553 </div> 1554 1555 </div> 1556 <div class="faq faq--3 collapsed"> 1557 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 1558 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 1559 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 1560 1561 What is mantram repetition therapy for PTSD? 1562 1563 </div> 1564 <div class="faq--control-container"> 1565 <button class="faq--control"> 1566 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 1567 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 1568 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 1569 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 1570 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 1571 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 1572 <defs></defs> 1573 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 1574 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 1575 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 1576 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 1577 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 1578 <polygon id="navigatedown" 1579 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 1580 </g> 1581 </g> 1582 </g> 1583 </g> 1584 </svg> 1585 </div> 1586 </button> 1587 </div> 1588 </div>
1589 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 1590 <div itemprop="text"> 1591 1592 <p>Mantram repetition therapy is a type of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/mindfulness" title="Psychology Today looks at mindfulness" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">mindfulness</a> therapy that is used to help calm people and shield them from the effects of intrusive thoughts. It involves repeating a “mantram”—a meaningful word or phrase—in order to tolerate negative thoughts and feelings without reacting to them. Mantram repetition appears to be a promising <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/demystifying-psychiatry/201809/additional-therapy-post-traumatic-stress-disorder">additional therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder</a>, enabling PTSD sufferers to slow down reactivity patterns and direct their <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/attention" title="Psychology Today looks at attention" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">attention</a> in more healthy ways without having to engage with their traumatic memories.</p> 1593 1594 </div> 1595 </div> 1596 </div> 1597 1598 </div> 1599 <div class="faq faq--4 collapsed faq--last"> 1600 <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> 1601 <div class="faq--title d-flex"> 1602 <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> 1603 1604 How can you help someone with PTSD? 1605 1606 </div> 1607 <div class="faq--control-container"> 1608 <button class="faq--control"> 1609 <div class="faq--control-icon"> 1610 <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" 1611 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 1612 xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> 1613 <!-- Generator: Sketch 46.2 (44496) - http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch --> 1614 <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> 1615 <defs></defs> 1616 <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> 1617 <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" 1618 transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> 1619 <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> 1620 <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> 1621 <polygon id="navigatedown" 1622 points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> 1623 </g> 1624 </g> 1625 </g> 1626 </g> 1627 </svg> 1628 </div> 1629 </button> 1630 </div> 1631 </div> 1632 <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> 1633 <div itemprop="text"> 1634 1635 <p>If you know a person who recently had a traumatic experience, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200510/bouncing-back-how-you-can-help">you can help them bounce back</a>. Reach out to them. Don’t force them to talk; just let them know you will be there whenever they are ready to open up. You don’t have to be somber all the time around them—in fact, showing a <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/humor" title="Psychology Today looks at sense of humor" class="basics-link" hreflang="en">sense of humor</a> can help some survivors cope better with their feelings. Don’t take it personally if they prefer not to talk to you about the trauma; sometimes people need to feel like life goes on, and they can have normal relationships that aren’t defined by their post-traumatic stress disorder. </p> 1636 1637 </div> 1638 </div> 1639 </div> 1640 1641 </div> 1642 </div> 1643 1644 1645 1646 </div> 1647</div> 1648 </div> 1649 1650 1651 </div> 1652 1653 1654 1655 1656 <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-6a0f6a3e0191917faf11f94d86974a734bc98d70995441c8e954868ae4045983"> 1657 1658 1659 1660 1661 1662 1663 1664 1665 <section class="basics--essential-reads"> 1666 1667 <div class="h2 page-section-header">Essential Reads</div> 1668 1669 <div class="teaser--card-inset-details--row"> 1670 1671 1672<article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5053639"> 1673 1674 <div class="card-inset-details__image"> 1675 1676 <a href="/us/blog/sound-mind/202609/what-does-ptsd-sound-like"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2026-09/ptsd_and_auditory_processing.jpg?h=fc87e9d7&itok=IY2GbiBG" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Hamid Djalilian, MD / ChatGPT" /> 1677 1678</a> 1679 1680 1681 </div> 1682 1683 <div class="card-inset-details__body"> 1684 1685 <div class="card-inset-details__title"> 1686 <a href="/us/blog/sound-mind/202609/what-does-ptsd-sound-like" title="What Does PTSD Sound Like?"> What Does PTSD Sound Like? </a> 1687 </div> 1688 1689 <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> 1690 1691 What does the world sound like to someone with PTSD? Trauma can fundamentally change how the brain filters, interprets, and reacts to the sounds of everyday life. 1692 1693 </div> 1694 1695 </div> 1696 1697</article> 1698 1699 1700 1701 1702 1703<article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5052898"> 1704 1705 <div class="card-inset-details__image"> 1706 1707 <a href="/us/blog/healing-from-trauma/202609/why-mind-body-approaches-matter-in-trauma-therapy"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2026-09/cover_image_geralt-hand-814694_1920.jpg?itok=JK9Edw4H" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Geralt/Pixabay" /> 1708 1709</a> 1710 1711 1712 </div> 1713 1714 <div class="card-inset-details__body"> 1715 1716 <div class="card-inset-details__title"> 1717 <a href="/us/blog/healing-from-trauma/202609/why-mind-body-approaches-matter-in-trauma-therapy" title="Why Mind-Body Approaches Matter in Trauma Therapy"> Why Mind-Body Approaches Matter in Trauma Therapy </a> 1718 </div> 1719 1720 <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> 1721 1722 New research into PTSD is revealing how disrupted brain connections may affect recovery and why sensory-based therapies could help restore them. 1723 1724 </div> 1725 1726 </div> 1727 1728</article> </div> 1729 1730 1731 1732 1733 <div class="teaser--card-inset-details--row"> 1734 1735 1736<article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5052515"> 1737 1738 <div class="card-inset-details__image"> 1739 1740 <a href="/us/blog/homeless-mind/202608/coming-home-from-war-ptsd-may-not-tell-the-full-story"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2026-09/shutterstock_2519226655.jpg?itok=es50gfXj" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Frame Stock Footage/Shutterstock" /> 1741 1742</a> 1743 1744 1745 </div> 1746 1747 <div class="card-inset-details__body"> 1748 1749 <div class="card-inset-details__title"> 1750 <a href="/us/blog/homeless-mind/202608/coming-home-from-war-ptsd-may-not-tell-the-full-story" title="Coming Home From War: PTSD May Not Tell the Full Story"> Coming Home From War: PTSD May Not Tell the Full Story </a> 1751 </div> 1752 1753 <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> 1754 1755 Physically exiting a life-threatening situation does not always mean we have moved on psychologically. Looking beyond PTSD may help explain why some veterans long for their former lives. 1756 1757 </div> 1758 1759 </div> 1760 1761</article> 1762 1763 1764 1765 1766 1767<article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5052510"> 1768 1769 <div class="card-inset-details__image"> 1770 1771 <a href="/us/blog/on-emotions-and-empathy/202608/healing-from-trauma-is-natural"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2026-08/pexels-chris-f-38966-3832470.jpg?h=011fb5fe&itok=RoyUoYWy" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Chris F / Pexels" /> 1772 1773</a> 1774 1775 1776 </div> 1777 1778 <div class="card-inset-details__body"> 1779 1780 <div class="card-inset-details__title"> 1781 <a href="/us/blog/on-emotions-and-empathy/202608/healing-from-trauma-is-natural" title="Healing from Trauma Is Natural"> Healing from Trauma Is Natural </a> 1782 </div> 1783 1784 <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> 1785 1786 Our ability to regain our resilience after traumatic incidentsâno matter their length or intensityâis well known. Why, then, are we so often told that trauma is a life sentence? 1787 1788 </div> 1789 1790 </div> 1791 1792</article> </div> 1793 1794 1795 1796 </section> 1797 1798 1799 1800 1801 1802 1803 1804 1805</div> 1806</div> 1807 1808 1809 </div> 1810 1811 1812 <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-33a8df544f28803345777d4371da15f92e153cf6ed7
1812d11c39893fdfeb7a75bbb layout-container--grid--content-main-additional basics--recent-posts"> 1813 <div class="layout-content-main"> 1814 1815 1816 1817 1818 <div class="teaser-listing-item"> 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823<article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5053226"> 1824 1825 <div class="teaser-lg--main"> 1826 1827 <div class="teaser-lg__image"> 1828 1829 <a href="/us/blog/talking-about-trauma/202609/dissociation-through-a-trauma-lens"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2026-09/8881851404_89ac13d6e8_o_0.jpg?itok=pzhk0APE" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Christiaan Tonnis / Flickr" /> 1830 1831</a> 1832 1833 1834 </div> 1835 1836 <div class="teaser-lg__details"> 1837 1838 <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> 1839 <a href="/us/blog/talking-about-trauma/202609/dissociation-through-a-trauma-lens" rel="bookmark">Dissociation Through a Trauma Lens</a> 1840 </div> 1841 1842 1843 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> 1844 How trauma can shape dissociation, and why understanding it matters for healing. 1845 </p> 1846 </div> 1847 1848 </div> 1849 1850 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> 1851 How trauma can shape dissociation, and why understanding it matters for healing. 1852 </p> 1853 </article> 1854</div> 1855 <div class="teaser-listing-item"> 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860<article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5053222"> 1861 1862 <div class="teaser-lg--main"> 1863 1864 <div class="teaser-lg__image"> 1865 1866 <a href="/us/blog/cinematherapy/202609/the-portrayal-of-trauma-in-furious"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2026-09/pexels-olly-3886081.jpg?itok=MjNj6XvM" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels" /> 1867 1868</a> 1869 1870 1871 </div> 1872 1873 <div class="teaser-lg__details"> 1874 1875 <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> 1876 <a href="/us/blog/cinematherapy/202609/the-portrayal-of-trauma-in-furious" rel="bookmark">The Portrayal of Trauma in "Furious"</a> 1877 </div> 1878 1879 1880 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> 1881 Huluâs new drama "Furious" unpacks the world of sex trafficking, sexual violence, PTSD, and denial. The themes are familiar, but the nuance and details of this series feel unusual. 1882 </p> 1883 </div> 1884 1885 </div> 1886 1887 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> 1888 Huluâs new drama "Furious" unpacks the world of sex trafficking, sexual violence, PTSD, and denial. The themes are familiar, but the nuance and details of this series feel unusual. 1889 </p> 1890 </article> 1891</div> 1892 <div class="teaser-listing-item"> 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897<article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5052983"> 1898 1899 <div class="teaser-lg--main"> 1900 1901 <div class="teaser-lg__image"> 1902 1903 <a href="/us/blog/black-and-empowered/202609/black-people-dont-hang-themselves-is-both-right-and-wrong"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2026-09/shutterstock_1375394381.jpg?itok=lt7Zli1U" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Motortion Films/Shutterstock" /> 1904 1905</a> 1906 1907 1908 </div> 1909 1910 <div class="teaser-lg__details"> 1911 1912 <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> 1913 <a href="/us/blog/black-and-empowered/202609/black-people-dont-hang-themselves-is-both-right-and-wrong" rel="bookmark">"Black People Don't Hang Themselves" Is Both Right and Wrong</a> 1914 </div> 1915 1916 1917 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> 1918 This Suicide Prevention Month, the truth is more nuanced and more urgent than the headlines and our response. 1919 </p> 1920 </div> 1921 1922 </div> 1923 1924 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> 1925 This Suicide Prevention Month, the truth is more nuanced and more urgent than the headlines and our response. 1926 </p> 1927 </article> 1928</div> 1929 <div class="teaser-listing-item"> 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934<article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5053049"> 1935 1936 <div class="teaser-lg--main"> 1937 1938 <div class="teaser-lg__image"> 1939 1940 <a href="/us/blog/the-leading-edge/202609/reclaiming-your-power-after-trauma"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2026-09/victimization_-_yan_krukau_-_pexels.jpg?itok=j72qi9Fk" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Yan Krukau/Pexels" /> 1941 1942</a> 1943 1944 1945 </div> 1946 1947 <div class="teaser-lg__details"> 1948 1949 <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> 1950 <a href="/us/blog/the-leading-edge/202609/reclaiming-your-power-after-trauma" rel="bookmark">Reclaiming Your Power After Trauma</a> 1951 </div> 1952 1953 1954 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> 1955 Being hurt is real. Staying stuck in the role of victim is a choice we can unlearn. Read my post to learn how to exchange feelings of victimization for true empowerment. 1956 </p> 1957 </div> 1958 1959 </div> 1960 1961 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> 1962 Being hurt is real. Staying stuck in the role of victim is a choice we can unlearn. Read my post to learn how to exchange feelings of victimization for true empowerment. 1963 </p> 1964 </article> 1965</div> 1966 <div class="teaser-listing-item"> 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971<article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5052778"> 1972 1973 <div class="teaser-lg--main"> 1974 1975 <div class="teaser-lg__image"> 1976 1977 <a href="/us/blog/in-control/202608/trauma-doesnt-always-traumatize"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2026-08/317879655_m.png.jpg?itok=LCRhyVeN" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="zarahmad, Image ID: 317879655, @123RF " /> 1978 1979</a> 1980 1981 1982 </div> 1983 1984 <div class="teaser-lg__details"> 1985 1986 <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> 1987 <a href="/us/blog/in-control/202608/trauma-doesnt-always-traumatize" rel="bookmark">Trauma Doesnât Always Traumatize </a> 1988 </div> 1989 1990 1991 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> 1992 Trauma is very common. But recovering from trauma is really common too. 1993 </p> 1994 </div> 1995 1996 </div> 1997 1998 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> 1999 Trauma is very common. But recovering from trauma is really common too. 2000 </p> 2001 </article> 2002</div> 2003 <div class="teaser-listing-item"> 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008<article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5052803"> 2009 2010 <div class="teaser-lg--main"> 2011 2012 <div class="teaser-lg__image"> 2013 2014 <a href="/us/blog/the-compassion-chronicles/202608/how-
2014parents-can-both-contribute-to-and-prevent-sibling-abuse"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2026-09/pexels-cottonbro-6603344.jpg?itok=GCvRiRmS" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="cottonbro studio / Pexels" /> 2015 2016</a> 2017 2018 2019 </div> 2020 2021 <div class="teaser-lg__details"> 2022 2023 <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> 2024 <a href="/us/blog/the-compassion-chronicles/202608/how-parents-can-both-contribute-to-and-prevent-sibling-abuse" rel="bookmark">How Parents Can Both Contribute to and Prevent Sibling Abuse</a> 2025 </div> 2026 2027 2028 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> 2029 Current research shows us how damaging sibling abuse can be and how parents can play a significant role in both setting the stage for it and preventing it. 2030 </p> 2031 </div> 2032 2033 </div> 2034 2035 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> 2036 Current research shows us how damaging sibling abuse can be and how parents can play a significant role in both setting the stage for it and preventing it. 2037 </p> 2038 </article> 2039</div> 2040 <div class="teaser-listing-item"> 2041 2042 2043 2044 2045<article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5052835"> 2046 2047 <div class="teaser-lg--main"> 2048 2049 <div class="teaser-lg__image"> 2050 2051 <a href="/us/blog/deeper-dive/202608/when-motherhood-reactivates-unresolved-trauma"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2026-08/pexels-helenalopes-27177505.jpg?itok=8m_OVPBK" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Helena Lopes / Pexels" /> 2052 2053</a> 2054 2055 2056 </div> 2057 2058 <div class="teaser-lg__details"> 2059 2060 <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> 2061 <a href="/us/blog/deeper-dive/202608/when-motherhood-reactivates-unresolved-trauma" rel="bookmark">When Motherhood Reactivates Unresolved Trauma </a> 2062 </div> 2063 2064 2065 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> 2066 Becoming a mother can awaken more than joy. For some women, unresolved trauma can resurface, bringing old relational patterns, trauma triggers, and complexes into the present. <br /> 2067 2068 </p> 2069 </div> 2070 2071 </div> 2072 2073 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> 2074 Becoming a mother can awaken more than joy. For some women, unresolved trauma can resurface, bringing old relational patterns, trauma triggers, and complexes into the present. <br /> 2075 2076 </p> 2077 </article> 2078</div> 2079 <div class="teaser-listing-item"> 2080 2081 2082 2083 2084<article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5052760"> 2085 2086 <div class="teaser-lg--main"> 2087 2088 <div class="teaser-lg__image"> 2089 2090 <a href="/us/blog/on-emotions-and-empathy/202608/what-trauma-healing-looks-like"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2026-08/debradeka-kintsugi-9385908.jpg?itok=MklVTNwB" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Deborah Radeka / Pixabay" /> 2091 2092</a> 2093 2094 2095 </div> 2096 2097 <div class="teaser-lg__details"> 2098 2099 <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> 2100 <a href="/us/blog/on-emotions-and-empathy/202608/what-trauma-healing-looks-like" rel="bookmark">What Trauma Healing Looks Like</a> 2101 </div> 2102 2103 2104 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> 2105 Healing from trauma is a natural process, and decades of research have helped us understand the surprising sequence that helps us regain our resilience after traumatic events. 2106 </p> 2107 </div> 2108 2109 </div> 2110 2111 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> 2112 Healing from trauma is a natural process, and decades of research have helped us understand the surprising sequence that helps us regain our resilience after traumatic events. 2113 </p> 2114 </article> 2115</div> 2116 <div class="teaser-listing-item"> 2117 2118 2119 2120 2121<article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5052761"> 2122 2123 <div class="teaser-lg--main"> 2124 2125 <div class="teaser-lg__image"> 2126 <a href="/us/blog/living-with-a-sticky-mind/202608/intrusive-thoughts-clarifying-the-confusion"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/field_blog_entry_images/2026-08/is_it_ocd_or_something_else.jpg?itok=mcPaTKXk" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Created with Gemini" /> 2127 2128</a> 2129 2130 </div> 2131 2132 <div class="teaser-lg__details"> 2133 2134 <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> 2135 <a href="/us/blog/living-with-a-sticky-mind/202608/intrusive-thoughts-clarifying-the-confusion" rel="bookmark">Intrusive Thoughts: Clarifying the Confusion</a> 2136 </div> 2137 2138 2139 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> 2140 Unwanted intrusive thoughts can include a range of thoughts, feelings, and images. Depending on the emotional and pathological context, they can represent vastly different phenomena. 2141 </p> 2142 </div> 2143 2144 </div> 2145 2146 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> 2147 Unwanted intrusive thoughts can include a range of thoughts, feelings, and images. Depending on the emotional and pathological context, they can represent vastly different phenomena. 2148 </p> 2149 </article> 2150</div> 2151 <div class="teaser-listing-item"> 2152 2153 2154 2155 2156<article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5052533"> 2157 2158 <div class="teaser-lg--main"> 2159 2160 <div class="teaser-lg__image"> 2161
2162 <a href="/us/blog/fixing-families/202608/are-you-thinking-about-thinking-too-much"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2026-08/thinker-111253_1280.jpg?h=c6f0d88d&itok=6Q8MXfAS" width="288" height="288" alt="" title=""The Thinker" / Rodin Museum Image/Pixabay" /> 2163 2164</a> 2165 2166 2167 </div> 2168 2169 <div class="teaser-lg__details"> 2170 2171 <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> 2172 <a href="/us/blog/fixing-families/202608/are-you-thinking-about-thinking-too-much" rel="bookmark">Are You Thinking About Thinking Too Much?</a> 2173 </div> 2174 2175 2176 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> 2177 Many people constantly think and analyze, often unaware of how they feel. Here are some common causes and suggestions for getting out of your head. 2178 </p> 2179 </div> 2180 2181 </div> 2182 2183 <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> 2184 Many people constantly think and analyze, often unaware of how they feel. Here are some common causes and suggestions for getting out of your head. 2185 </p> 2186 </article> 2187</div> 2188 2189 2190 2191 <nav role="navigation" aria-label="Pagination"> 2192 <ul class="js-pager__items pagination"> 2193 2194 2195 <li class="page-item active"> 2196 <span class="page-link">1</span> 2197 </li> 2198 2199 <li class="page-item next-number"> 2200 <a class="page-link" href="/us/basics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder?page=2" title="Go to next page" rel="next"> 2201 2 2202 </a> 2203 </li> 2204 <li class="page-item"> 2205 <a class="page-link next" href="/us/basics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder?page=2" title="Go to next page" rel="next"> 2206 <span>Next</span> 2207 </a> 2208 </li> 2209 2210 </ul> 2211 </nav> 2212 2213 2214 2215 2216 2217 2218 2219 </div> 2220</div> 2221</div> 2222 2223 2224</article> 2225 2226 </div> 2227 2228 </div> 2229 2230 </div> 2231 <aside class="layout-content-left-rail" role="complementary"> 2232 <article> 2233 2234 2235 <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2021-02/shutterstock_1444221992.jpg?itok=lbNf722a" width="180" height="180" alt="fizkes/Shutterstock" title="fizkes/Shutterstock" /> 2236 2237 2238 2239 2240 </article> 2241 2242 </aside> 2243 2244 <aside class="layout-content-right-rail" role="complementary"> 2245 <div> 2246 <div id="block-resourcesblock" class="block"> 2247 2248 2249 2250<article data-history-node-id="53868" class="resources block-border"> 2251 <div class="resources--header"> 2252 <div class="h2 resources--title"> 2253 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Resources </div> 2254 </div> 2255 <div class="resources--section resources--section--get-help"> 2256 <div class="h3"> 2257 <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a therapist to heal from trauma"> 2258 Get Help 2259 </a> 2260 </div> 2261 <div class="resources--cta"> 2262 Find a therapist to heal from trauma 2263 </div> 2264 2265 2266 2267 2268<div class="country country--resources-search"> 2269 <form action="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists" method="GET" class="find-therapist--resources-form" target="_top" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" data-event-label="Search_Freeform"> 2270 <div class="container-fat__callout_form" data-search-suggest="sussex" data-placeholder="City or Zip" data-size="medium" data-mobile-fullscreen="true" data-suggestions-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/search/suggestions?query={query}&category=trauma-and-ptsd&country-code=us" data-search-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists?search={query}&category=trauma-and-ptsd" data-input-aria-label="Search input text" data-button-aria-label="Search button" data-menu="false" data-menu-items="[{"label":"Therapists","suggestionsUrl":"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/intl\/search\/suggestions?query={query}&context=therapists&country-code=us","searchUrl":"
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2448<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ky/louisville?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Louisville, KY" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Louisville, KY</a></li> 2449 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tn/memphis?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Memphis, TN" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Memphis, TN</a></li> 2450 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/fl/miami?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Miami, FL" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Miami, FL</a></li> 2451 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/wi/milwaukee?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Milwaukee, WI" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Milwaukee, WI</a></li> 2452 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/mn/minneapolis?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Minneapolis, MN" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Minneapolis, MN</a></li> 2453 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tn/nashville?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Nashville, TN" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Nashville, TN</a></li> 2454 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ny/new-york?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in New York, NY" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">New York, NY</a></li> 2455 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/oakland?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Oakland, CA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Oakland, CA</a></li> 2456 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ne/omaha?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Omaha, NE" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Omaha, NE</a></li> 2457 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/pa/philadelphia?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Philadelphia, PA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Philadelphia, PA</a></li> 2458 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/az/phoenix?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Phoenix, AZ" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Phoenix, AZ</a></li> 2459 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/pa/pittsburgh?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Pittsburgh, PA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Pittsburgh, PA</a></li> 2460 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/or/portland?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Portland, OR" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Portland, OR</a></li> 2461 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/nc/raleigh?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Raleigh, NC" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Raleigh, NC</a></li> 2462 <li>
2462<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/sacramento?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Sacramento, CA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Sacramento, CA</a></li> 2463 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/mo/saint-louis?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Saint Louis, MO" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Saint Louis, MO</a></li> 2464 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tx/san-antonio?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in San Antonio, TX" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">San Antonio, TX</a></li> 2465 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/san-diego?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in San Diego, CA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">San Diego, CA</a></li> 2466 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/san-francisco?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in San Francisco, CA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">San Francisco, CA</a></li> 2467 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/san-jose?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in San Jose, CA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">San Jose, CA</a></li> 2468 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/wa/seattle?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Seattle, WA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Seattle, WA</a></li> 2469 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/az/tucson?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Tucson, AZ" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Tucson, AZ</a></li> 2470 <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/dc/washington?category=trauma-and-ptsd" title="Find a Trauma and PTSD Therapist in Washington, DC" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Washington, DC</a></li> 2471 </ul> 2472 2473 </div> 2474 <footer> 2475 <div class="find-therapist--footer"> 2476 <span class="find-therapist--footer-cta">Are you a Therapist?</span> 2477 <a href="https://join.psychologytoday.com/us/signup?src=WWWCIT" class="find-therapist--footer-link">Get Listed Today</a> 2478 </div> 2479 </footer> 2480</div> 2481 2482 </div> 2483<div class="pt-ad pt-ad--300x600 d-none d-lg-block d-xl-block block" id="block-ad-reference-300x600-right2-www-site"> 2484 2485 2486 <div class="pt-ad--container pt-ad-show-text"> 2487 <div class="pt-ad--text"> 2488 <span>advertisement</span> 2489 </div> 2490 <div id="div-gpt-ad-1390414551849-0" class="pt-ad--content"> 2491
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