PTSD vs a Normal Trauma Response

Traumatic events that lead to post-traumatic stress disorder

Traumatic events that lead to post-traumatic stress are usually so overwhelming and frightening that they would upset anyone. Often times after experiencing a traumatic event, we are in shock or a state of disbelief and may not even realize the effect. We often tend to minimize such experiences in order to cope and carry on with our lives. The realization of the effects of a trauma tend to come much later. However, when your sense of safety and trust are shattered, it’s normal to feel crazy, disconnected, or numb. It’s very common to have bad dreams, feel fearful, and find it difficult to stop having intrusive thoughts about what happened. These are normal reactions to abnormal events.

For most people, however, these symptoms are short-lived. A lot of people experience post-traumatic stress symptoms. They may last for several days or even weeks, but they gradually lift. But if you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the symptoms don’t decrease. You don’t feel a little better each day. In fact, you may start to feel worse over time.

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A serene lake bordered by rocks in the foreground, reflecting evergreen trees and a snow-capped mountain under a clear sky.

After a traumatic experience, the mind and the body are in shock

After a traumatic experience, the mind and the body are in shock. But as you make sense of what happened and process your emotions, you come out of it. With post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), however, you remain in psychological shock. Your memory of what happened and your feelings about it are disconnected. In order to move foward with your life, the therapists at Seattle trauma counseling can help you to understand your past experiences with compassion. We will face and feel your memories and emotions together.

The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can arise suddenly, gradually, or come and go over time. Commonly, people do not actually recognize an event as traumatic when it happens, and symptoms can appear seemingly out of the blue. At other times, they are triggered by something that reminds you of the original traumatic event, such as a noise, an image, certain words, or a smell.
Flashbacks are intrusive thoughts, feelings or even sensations that can arise when we are triggered by an event. They arise subconsciously in us, so its not a conscious choice when they happen. Let us help you to stop the flashbacks and being some safety and serenity back to yoru nervous system.

Seattle Trauma Counseling is a collective of licensed somatic trauma therapists co-founded in 2015, with offices in Edmonds and Kirkland, Washington, and telehealth across the state.

We specialize in EMDR, Brainspotting, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Internal Family Systems for trauma, PTSD, complex trauma, religious trauma, sexual trauma, anxiety, and dissociation.

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Mental Health

Contact Details

Edmonds

8923 240th St SW,
Edmonds, WA 98026
United States

Kirkland

10512 NE 68th St #202,
Kirkland, WA 98033
United States

Phone

(206) 552-8207

1 253-3933251

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What Is The Difference Between PTSD And A Normal Response To Trauma