Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS)

PTSD is a complicated mental health condition that typically emerges around 3 months after trauma, but can also resurface years after a traumatic event. Recently, the D (Disorder) from PTSD has been changed to PTSI (Post Traumatic Stress Injury). It can also be referred to simply as PTS (Post Traumatic Stress). We will be using this name throughout the rest of this article. Symptoms of PTS are split into 4 main categories:

Intrusion (Nightmares/flashbacks) 

Avoidance (avoiding stressors that remind them of the situation) 

Thinking (feelings of guilt) 

Reactivity (tense/anxious feelings) 

PTS itself has been split into many categories; here are 4 of them. 

Complex PTS

Complex PTS (or CPTS) arises from repeated trauma over a long period of time, like domestic violence or abandonment. Symptoms can include difficulty controlling emotions and a negative self-perception. It can also come with antisocial personality disorder and dissociative disorders. Treatment for this type is complicated and intense. 

Acute Stress Disorder 

While not a form of PTS, it can develop into it. Acute Stress Disorder occurs in people who have been through life-threatening situations, like PTS, but the difference is in duration. Acute Stress Disorder develops after the first month of a traumatic stressor, but the symptoms tend to decrease by the end of the month. If not treated, however, it can develop into PTS. 

Comorbid PTS

Comorbid PTS is PTS but with other mental conditions as well. This is the most common form of PTS, as most people have some other mental health problems coupled with it. It can go along with Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder, and substance abuse. This type is complicated to treat, as to treat it effectively, the other mental conditions have to be addressed at the same time. 

Dissociative PTS

Dissociative PTS (D-PTS) is when someone has dissociative symptoms along with PTS. It results from early trauma, and symptoms include Derealization and Depersonalization. Derealization is when someone believes the world isn’t real, and Depersonalization is when someone thinks they themselves aren’t real. These symptoms help them cope with overwhelming trauma.