Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a complex mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD can significantly affect a person’s daily life. The duration of PTSD symptoms varies. However, it usually improves within a few weeks after the traumatic event. Still, some individuals may experience ongoing symptoms that persist for months or even years. In some cases, PTSD can become a chronic condition.
Key Elements of PTSD Duration
It’s normal to have upsetting thoughts, feelings, and physical reactions after a traumatic event. These feelings will usually decrease within a few weeks. To be diagnosed with PTSD, symptoms must continue for at least one month and be severe enough to interfere with day-to-day life.
Acute PTSD usually develops soon after a traumatic event and resolves within three months. If the symptoms persist for longer than three months, it’s considered Chronic PTSD. Without treatment, it might continue indefinitely.
Some people who experience trauma recover naturally over time. Sometimes, the symptoms resolve within weeks without treatment.
Occasionally, PTSD symptoms might not appear until months or even years after the trauma.
Some individuals recover within six months, while others may have symptoms for a year or longer. Still others may have symptoms that last for many years.
Individuals who receive appropriate PTSD treatment early will experience a significant reduction in the severity and symptoms of PTSD and improve their chances for long-term healing.
Factors that Influence Duration
These factors also play a part in how long PTSD symptoms last:
- Severity of trauma
- Type of traumatic event
- Presence of social support
- Co-occurring conditions such as depression or substance abuse
- Age at the time of the trauma
- Genetics
What Is PTSD? Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is a disorder that features a failure to recover after witnessing or experiencing a shocking event. It’s normal to feel fear, sadness, and anxiety after a trauma. However, people with PTSD continue to experience intense and upsetting thoughts and feelings related to the event for an extended period, often for months or years.
Symptoms of PTSD: How It Manifests Over Time
Symptoms of PTSD are usually grouped into four main categories:
This includes unwanted memories of the traumatic event, nightmares, and flashbacks (reliving the event as if it’s happening again).
Individuals may try to avoid talking or thinking about the event, or avoid people, places, or activities that remind them of it.
This involves inaccurate beliefs about themself or the world, feelings of disconnection, lack of interest in activities, or problems experiencing positive emotions.
Symptoms include being easily startled, being constantly on guard, sleeping difficulty, irritability, or angry outbursts.
How PTSD Changes Over Time
Symptoms can fluctuate in severity. Some people experience periods where symptoms are less noticeable, followed by times when symptoms get worse. Sometimes, PTSD symptoms gradually get worse over time, especially if not treated or the individual relies on unhelpful coping mechanisms like substance use.
PTSD is frequently accompanied by other mental health conditions, such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Substance use disorders (SUDs)
These can co-occur over time with the symptoms of PTSD.
Major life changes or additional stressors like a job loss, the loss of a loved one, or additional traumatic experiences can trigger or worsen PTSD symptoms, even years after the original trauma occurred. Older adults may reflect on their life, possibly bringing up PTSD symptoms like nightmares, triggering previously suppressed memories.
Common Causes and Risk Factors for PTSD
PTSD can develop after any event that the person sees as terrifying or life-threatening. Some of the common causes include:
- Exposure to combat
- Physical assault
- Sexual assault
- Child abuse
- Serious accidents (car crashes, etc.)
- Natural disasters
- Terrorist attacks
- Being a witness to violence or death
Not every person who experiences trauma will develop PTSD. Factors that can influence a person’s susceptibility to developing the disorder include:
- Severity and duration of the traumatic event
- Pre-existing mental health disorders
- Lack of a social support network
- Genetic tendencies
- Resilience factors
- Getting help and support from friends, family, or groups
- Learning to be alright with their response to a trauma
- Having a coping strategy
- Being able to respond to events as they happen
Can PTSD Go Away on Its Own?
Although some people do experience a natural decrease in their symptoms after a trauma, professional help is usually necessary for complete recovery from PTSD. A study found that 44% of people experience remission after about 40 months. However, these results varied widely (8% to 89%) depending on the type of trauma and the time of the initial evaluation. A natural recovery is more likely with strong social support, adaptive coping skills, and a positive outlook.
The Role of Triggers and Flashbacks in Prolonging PTSD
Triggers and flashbacks play an immense role in maintaining and prolonging PTSD symptoms. They produce a cycle of re-experiencing the trauma and fear, which prevents the person from moving past the traumatic event.
- Triggers are stimuli that remind the individual of the traumatic event. Triggers can be:
- sights,
- sounds,
- smells,
- emotions,
- thoughts, or even
- places related to the trauma.
- Flashbacks are a re-experiencing of the trauma when triggered. A flashback is an intense, involuntary re-living of the traumatic event as if it’s happening over again. Flashbacks are not just memories. They are vivid and immersive experiences that may involve:
- mental images,
- emotions,
- physical sensations, and
- automatic responses like panic or dissociation.
Flashbacks can be extremely upsetting and lead to high anxiety, fear, and a feeling of helplessness.
Treatment Options That Can Shorten the Duration of PTSD
Several treatment options can alter how long symptoms of PTSD last. Treatment professionals can develop a program that may include therapy and medication to suit the individual’s needs.
Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This type of therapy helps people recognize and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with the trauma.
- Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a type of CBT that uses gradual confrontation of traumatic memories or situations in a controlled and safe environment to reduce fear and avoidance.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR involves specific eye movements while processing traumatic memories. This can help decrease their emotional impact.
Medication
- Antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the commonly prescribed antidepressants. SSRIs help manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties.
- Other Medications
Medications may be prescribed for specific symptoms such as nightmares or hyperarousal.
Alternative and Holistic Approaches
Along with conventional therapies like psychotherapy and medication, a variety of complementary, alternative, and holistic approaches are being recognized for their benefits in managing PTSD symptoms and improving overall well-being. Here are some approaches:
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction–This structured program is a combination of meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises. It reduces the impact of intrusive thoughts and memories.
- Trauma-Informed Yoga–With the combination of physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation, this yoga can help regulate the nervous system and reduce hyperarousal. Trauma-informed yoga specifically adapts practices to reduce triggers and build a sense of safety and empowerment.
- Acupuncture–This traditional Chinese medicine practice is used to stimulate energy flow and restore balance. It may relieve PTSD symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
- Nutrition and dietary approaches–This approach focuses on enhancing nutrient intake. Some herbs have been studied for their calming effects and ability to improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety related to PTSD.
- Art therapy–Expressing experiences and emotions through creative outlets can help process trauma and contribute to emotional healing.
How Long Does PTSD Last With Treatment?
The duration of PTSD and the time it takes to recover vary from person to person, depending on several factors:
- Severity and type of trauma–More complex or severe trauma, like exposure to combat trauma or childhood abuse, may require longer and more intense treatment than single-event traumas.
- Individual’s response to therapy–Some people experience relief quickly in treatment, within a few weeks or months, but others may need more time to process their experiences.
- Support systems and coping mechanisms–A strong support system can improve progress in therapy and shorten its duration.
- Commitment to the process–Actively participating in therapy and completing assignments can contribute to faster progress.
- Co-occurring conditions–The presence of other mental conditions can affect the duration of treatment.
- Frequency and consistency of sessions–More frequent and consistent treatment sessions can lead to a faster reduction of symptoms.
What Recovery Looks Like: Healing Is Not Linear
Recovery from PTSD is a complicated and personal journey. It often has progress, setbacks, and episodes of intense emotions. It’s not a straight line from trauma to total healing. Rather, it’s a process that unwinds in unique ways for each person. Healing is not about erasing the past but learning how to manage it.
It’s common for people in recovery to experience improvements for a while, followed by a return of symptoms or even a worsening. Setbacks, the return of symptoms, or unhealthy coping mechanisms are a natural part of the recovery process. Healing can involve a range of emotions, including anger, fear, sadness, and even relief and joy, sometimes within a short period.
Living with Long-Term PTSD: Coping Strategies and Support
In addition to professional mental health treatment, several coping strategies and support systems can help individuals manage their PTSD symptoms:
Reconnecting with trusted family and friends or support groups can contribute to understanding and emotional comfort.
Taking part in healthy habits such as:
- a balanced diet,
- regular exercise,
- sufficient sleep, and
- relaxation techniques
can help manage stress and augment a feeling of general well-being.
Stay away from alcohol or drug use. These can make symptoms worse and impede recovery.
By learning to understand the disorder, individuals and their loved ones can begin to make sense of their experiences and decrease feelings of isolation.
When to Seek Professional Help for PTSD
If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic event and is struggling to cope, it’s important to understand when to get professional help. Some signs indicate that your reactions may be indicative of PTSD and will need professional treatment. They include:
- Symptoms that last more than a month
A formal diagnosis of PTSD is made when symptoms last more than a month
- Symptoms that interfere with daily life
Your ability to function at work, home, or in relationships is impacted by increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, or problems sleeping
- Intense symptoms
Highly anxious or distressed feelings, intense physical or emotional reactions when reminded of the event, and feeling overpowered by emotions
- Symptoms are getting worse over time
- Dangerous or concerning behavior
Thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, engaging in self-destructive behaviors, substance use, or other harmful behaviors
You Can Find Professional Help for PTSD at Laguna Shores Mental Health
It’s crucial to get professional help for PTSD. Laguna Shores Mental Health in Orange County is California’s premier facility for mental health treatment. PTSD can be treated successfully, even if it developed years after a traumatic event. Our mental health professionals are experienced in behavioral therapies as well as individual, group, family, and holistic therapies.
Laguna’s residential treatment program can provide comprehensive, structured, round-the-clock care in a specialized facility. All you have to do is concentrate on recovering, away from the triggers that interfere with your daily life.
It’s common for people with a mental health disorder to also have a substance use disorder. Our therapists are also experienced in addiction treatment. Both conditions need to be treated simultaneously, preferably by the same treatment team.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of PTSD, it’s essential to seek professional help. Early treatment can significantly reduce treatment time and improve outcomes. Contact us today.
