POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER TREATMENT

How to Identify if Someone Is Has PTSD 

PTSD can look very different from person to person, but there are common signs. Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories are often present. Someone with PTSD may avoid certain people, places, or situations that remind them of what happened. They may feel constantly on guard, easily startled, or struggle with anger and irritability. Concentration and sleep are often disrupted. In complex PTSD, symptoms may also include chronic feelings of emptiness, mistrust of others, or a negative self-image. If you recognize these patterns in yourself or someone you love, it may be time to seek help and learn more.

Trauma and Traumatic Stress 

There are many forms of trauma. Some are physical—like accidents or injuries. Others are psychological, leaving deep mental and emotional wounds. Another word for “mental trauma” is traumatic stress. When traumatic stress continues after a traumatic event and becomes overwhelming, it can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is not weakness; It is the body and mind’s response to overwhelming events that exceeded the nervous system’s capacity to cope.

The Nervous System and PTSD 

Trauma lives in the body. PTSD often activates the nervous system in ways that make people feel constantly unsafe. This can show up as hypervigilance, fight-or-flight responses, freezing, or dissociation. Even when no threat is present, the body may react as though danger is near. These physical responses can feel out of control and exhausting, making daily life a constant battle between the body and the environment.

Example 1: You’re in the grocery store, and someone suddenly drops a glass jar in the next aisle. Even though you’re safe, your body floods with adrenaline—your heart races, your muscles tighten, and you feel like you need to run or hide.

Example 2: At night, you hear a car backfiring outside your window. In seconds, you’re wide awake, sweating, scanning the room for danger, even though nothing is actually happening.

Example 3: You sit down at work, but your legs are bouncing under the desk and you can’t focus. Your nervous system is locked in “on guard” mode, as if danger could appear at any second.

The Cognitive Aspects of PTSD 

Beyond the body, trauma also affects the way we think. PTSD can create patterns of catastrophic thinking, excessive worry, or constant scanning for danger. People may feel they cannot trust themselves or others, and small triggers can spiral into overwhelming thoughts. These cognitive changes reinforce the sense of being unsafe, even when reality may not match the mind’s interpretation.

Example 1: You walk into a crowded room and your mind immediately says, “Something bad is going to happen here.” Even if nothing goes wrong, your thoughts keep looping on potential threats.

Example 2: A friend doesn’t return your text for a day. Instead of assuming they’re busy, your brain jumps to “They’re mad at me. I did something wrong.”

Example 3: You hear a story on the news about an accident, and your thoughts spiral into “That could happen to me or my family at any time. We’re never safe.”

The Psychoanalytic and Narrative Aspects 

Trauma also impacts the story we tell ourselves. Survivors may create narratives like “I am broken,” “I deserved this,” or “the world is unsafe.” These beliefs shape how a person relates to themselves and others. Healing often involves not only calming the body and reshaping thoughts, but also rewriting the personal narrative in a way that restores dignity, power, and self-worth.

Example 1: After years of trauma, you carry the belief “I must be broken, otherwise this wouldn’t have happened to me.” This story influences every decision you make and every relationship you enter.

Example 2: You tell yourself “The world is unsafe and I can’t trust anyone,” so you avoid close friendships or keep people at a distance.

Example 3: Even after achieving something meaningful—like finishing school or getting a job—you hear the inner story “I don’t deserve this. It’s just a matter of time before it’s taken away.”

Types of Trauma 

• Acute trauma: a single overwhelming event.
• Chronic trauma: repeated exposure to distressing situations, such as abuse or ongoing violence.
• Complex trauma: trauma that begins early in life, is prolonged, and often involves relationships or environments that should have provided safety.

Complex trauma can develop into Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), which includes not only the classic symptoms of PTSD but also difficulties with self-identity, emotional regulation, and interpersonal trust. Complex PTSD can sometimes be mistaken for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but the origins and treatment needs differ.

Specialized Trauma Care at HighTide Mental Health 

At HighTide Mental Health, we are uniquely equipped to treat trauma. Our clinical team holds certifications that many centers do not: we are certified as Clinical Trauma Providers and also as Personality Disorder Treatment Providers. This dual expertise allows us to carefully distinguish between complex trauma, PTSD, and personality disorders like BPD—ensuring clients receive accurate diagnoses and tailored treatment. Our team approaches trauma treatment with evidence-based methods and a compassionate understanding of the complexity of trauma recovery.

The Daily Impact of PTSD 

Living with PTSD can affect every part of daily life. A “day in the life” may involve waking from restless sleep or nightmares, starting the day already fatigued, avoiding routines or places that trigger memories, and feeling constantly on edge. For someone with complex PTSD, a week might include moments of dissociation, shutting down emotionally, or feeling detached from reality—followed by waves of anger, sadness, or numbness. Relationships often feel strained, and even small tasks can feel overwhelming. This daily reality can leave people feeling hopeless, but treatment can change the way trauma lives in the body and mind.

Hope and Recovery 

Recovery from PTSD is possible. Treatment focuses on calming the nervous system, reshaping thoughts, and creating a new narrative of safety and strength. At HighTide, clients receive trauma-informed care in both individual and group settings, supported by therapists and staff who specialize in trauma and personality disorders. Through this work, people begin to feel more grounded, sleep improves, and life feels less controlled by fear and avoidance.