What is PTSD? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing, witnessing, or learning about a traumatic event. That might seem like a broad definition, which is why it's crucial that a trained expert is involved in your treatment to determine if you're truly experiencing PTSD or not.

While many people associate PTSD with combat veterans, the disorder affects a wide range of people, including those who have experienced accidents, natural disasters, assault, or multiple / prolonged traumatic events. PTSD can interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being, but effective treatments are available to help people regain control.

Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD symptoms typically fall into four categories:

1. Intrusive Thoughts and Memories

Unwanted and distressing memories of the trauma
Nightmares related to the event
Flashbacks, where it feels like the trauma is happening again
Emotional or physical distress when reminded of the trauma

2. Avoidance

Avoiding places, people, or situations that remind them of the trauma
Refusing to talk or think about the traumatic event
Withdrawing from social activities or relationships

3. Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood

Persistent negative beliefs about oneself or the world
Feelings of guilt, shame, or blame
Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
Feeling detached from others or emotionally numb

4. Changes in Arousal and Reactivity

Increased irritability or angry outbursts
Being easily startled or feeling constantly on edge
Difficulty concentrating
Trouble sleeping, including insomnia or frequent nightmares

Symptoms vary in intensity and may appear immediately after trauma or develop months or even years later.

Causes and Risk Factors of PTSD

PTSD develops in response to trauma, but not everyone who experiences a traumatic event develops PTSD. Several factors influence the likelihood of developing the disorder:

Common Causes of PTSD

Combat exposure (common among military personnel and veterans)
Sexual or physical assault
Serious accidents (such as car crashes or workplace injuries)
Natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, etc.)
Childhood abuse or neglect
Prolonged trauma (such as domestic violence or repeated exposure to distressing events)

Risk Factors for PTSD

Severity of trauma: The more extreme the trauma, the higher the risk of PTSD.
Lack of social support: People who do not have strong social connections may struggle more after a traumatic event.
Pre-existing mental health conditions: Anxiety, depression, or past trauma can increase vulnerability to PTSD.
Repeated exposure to trauma: First responders, medical professionals, and military personnel face repeated high-stress situations that increase the likelihood of PTSD.

Evidence-Based Treatments for PTSD

While PTSD can feel overwhelming, effective treatments are available. At North Star Psychology, we focus on two research-backed therapies: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE). These treatments are considered the gold standard for PTSD recovery and have been extensively studied for their effectiveness.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

CPT is a structured therapy that helps people intentionally think through what happened to them and reframe unhelpful or incorrect beliefs about their trauma. Many people with PTSD develop negative thoughts such as "It was my fault" or "The world is completely unsafe." These thoughts can keep PTSD symptoms alive, and keep people "stuck" in the cycle of recovery - never fully emerging out of it.

How CPT Works:

Identifies unhelpful thought patterns related to the trauma
Teaches strategies to challenge and change distorted beliefs
Helps people reprocess traumatic memories in a way that reduces emotional distress

At North Star Psychology, CPT is usually completed in 12 sessions, either weekly (12 weeks of treatment) or daily (12 days of treatment).

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

PE is based on the principle that avoidance strengthens PTSD symptoms. By safely confronting trauma-related thoughts, memories, and situations, people learn that these triggers are not inherently dangerous.

How PE Works:

Imaginal Exposure: The therapist guides the person through repeatedly retelling their traumatic experience in a controlled setting, helping them process and reduce its emotional impact.
In Vivo Exposure: People gradually face real-world situations they have been avoiding, such as driving after a car accident or going to crowded places after experiencing violence.
Reduction of Avoidance Behaviors: Over time, the brain learns that trauma-related reminders do not have to provoke extreme fear.

PE typically lasts 8-15 sessions and has been shown to produce lasting improvements in PTSD symptoms. Not all forms of PTSD are appropriate for PE, so part of our approach to treatment is figuring out which treatment is best for you.

Why CPT and PE Are Great Choices for PTSD Treatment

Both CPT and PE have been extensively researched and are considered highly effective treatments for PTSD. Unlike some alternative approaches that lack scientific backing, these therapies:

Directly target the core symptoms of PTSD
Have decades of research demonstrating their effectiveness
Equip people with long-term coping skills
Reduce the likelihood of relapse

These treatments do not rely on unproven methods, but instead focus on changing thought patterns and reducing avoidance, which are the fundamental mechanisms of PTSD recovery.

Can PTSD Be Cured?

While PTSD is a chronic condition for some people, many experience significant symptom reduction and even full recovery with proper treatment. The goal is not to erase the trauma but to help people regain control over their thoughts, emotions, and daily lives.

Treatment is most effective when started early, but even people who have lived with PTSD for years can benefit from therapy. If you are struggling with PTSD, seeking professional help is the first step toward recovery.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

If you’re looking for PTSD therapy in Alabama, North Star Psychology offers expert treatment through Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) via telehealth services. Our approach is evidence-based, effective, and tailored to your needs.

Call us at (205) 797-1897 or email us at info@NorthStarPsyc.com to schedule a free consultation. We’ll usually respond within one business day.

Recovery is possible—let’s take the first step together.

References

American Psychological Association. (2017). Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline

Resick, P. A., Monson, C. M., & Chard, K. M. (2017). Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD: A Comprehensive Manual. Guilford Press.

Foa, E. B., Hembree, E. A., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2007). Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Emotional Processing of Traumatic Experiences. Oxford University Press.

Powers, M. B., Halpern, J. M., Ferenschak, M. P., Gillihan, S. J., & Foa, E. B. (2010). A meta-analytic review of prolonged exposure for posttraumatic stress disorder. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(6), 635-641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.04.007