What is Trauma and PTSD?
Trauma is any deeply disturbing or distressing experience that overwhelms a person to the point of negatively affecting their ability to cope. Some traumatic events are natural disasters, violence, abuse, and accidents. Witnessing traumatic incidents can also be traumatic for a person.
People who experience or witness a traumatic event can develop or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Those with PTSD usually experience nightmares, intrusive thoughts, avoidance of situations related to the trauma, adverse changes in thinking patterns and mood, and hyperarousal or heightened vigilance. These symptoms significantly impact their daily function even beyond the occurrence of the initial trauma.
There are multiple causes of PTSD, which vary from one person to another, even if they experience or witness the same traumatic event. However, they’re more likely to develop the condition if they have a genetic predisposition, are previously exposed to traumatic events, have brain chemistry imbalances, and lack social support.
Treatment for PTSD combines medication and therapy like Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Both are meant to help manage symptoms, better process the traumatic experiences, and develop coping strategies.










