What Is the Difference Between Trauma and PTSD?

If you or a loved one has experienced a stressful event, you might be wondering what the difference is between trauma and PTSD. In this article, we will break down what trauma and PTSD are, including why they are different.

What is trauma?

The diagnostic manual used by psychotherapists to diagnose and treat conditions is called the DSM-5 for short. In it, trauma is delineated from a stressful event in that it must include “actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.” With this definition, it is easy to see that trauma itself can be a one-time event.

Individuals who experience a traumatic event certainly can have PTSD but not always.

What is PTSD?

One of the most recent changes to the definition of post-traumatic stress disorder is that it no longer is grouped with anxiety disorders. The person with PTSD experiences a range of emotions, not limited to anxiety, so PTSD is now considered a trauma disorder.

PTSD is when a person has experienced trauma and then struggles to recover from it. There is a wide range of symptoms that a person with PTSD experiences.

What qualifies as PTSD?

To be diagnosed with PTSD rather than simply trauma, an individual must experience

• An inability to function in everyday life, such as work, parent responsibly, and/or take part in simple functions such as self-care.
• Symptoms that impact a person’s livelihood and occur for more than a month after the traumatic event occurs.

If you have undergone trauma, but your everyday life and ability to function aren’t impacted negatively for at least one month after, it is wise to seek a trauma-informed counselor. You likely don’t have PTSD.

However, it is important not to self-diagnose or assume that your trauma isn’t serious enough for treatment. All trauma benefits from psychological care, and we encourage you or your loved one to contact our offices for help.

Symptoms of Trauma and PTSD

Trauma and PTSD are easier to distinguish when you examine the symptoms of PTSD itself. Some of these can occur, or all of them, but to be Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, they must take place over the course of months and sometimes even years.

• Sleeping issues.
• Excitability or sudden fits of rage.
• Depressive or anxious signals such as loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities or fear of experiencing what others would consider everyday life moments, such as going to public places, getting out of bed to go to work, or attending school with peers.
• Experiential symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, or recurring floods of memory.

When an individual experiences multiple occurrences of each of these symptoms, a trauma-informed counselor can help. There are several types of treatment for people who are diagnosed with PTSD and they can return to a fully-functioning life with the right kind of care. Whether you think you or a loved one has experienced trauma or possibly is suffering from PTSD, reach out to a trained professional.

At Mansfield Christian Counseling in Texas, you will find counselors who specialize in trauma and PTSD and are informed in the latest trauma rehabilitation research. We count it a privilege to serve you and help you get back to hope and healing.