Understanding Trauma & PTSD — You Don’t Have to Face It Alone
Traumatic memories and flashbacks can disrupt your life. We offer personalized care to help you heal and reclaim your peace. Schedule your PTSD Evaluation today!
What Is Trauma & PTSD?
Trauma occurs when you experience or witness something frightening, life-threatening, or deeply upsetting. In the days after a distressing event—like a car accident, assault, or natural disaster—feeling anxious, jumpy, or sad is a normal response.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) happens when those reactions don’t fade with time and instead begin to interfere with your daily life for weeks, months, or even years. Flashbacks, nightmares, and overwhelming fear can take over, making it hard to work, sleep, or connect with loved ones. PTSD is one of the most common mental health challenges after a serious trauma—and it’s both real and treatable.
Common Triggers & Causes
PTSD can develop after any experience that felt overwhelmingly dangerous or life-threatening. Some common triggers include:
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Combat or Military Service (historically called “shell shock”)
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Natural Disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes)
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Serious Accidents (car crashes, plane or train wrecks, workplace injuries)
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Physical or Sexual Assault (rape, mugging, violent attacks)
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Childhood Abuse or Neglect (long-term trauma in family settings)
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Witnessing Violence (mass shootings, terrorist attacks, domestic violence)
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Medical Trauma (life-threatening illness, ICU stays, sudden injury)
PTSD can develop after any experience that felt overwhelmingly dangerous or life-threatening. Some common triggers include:
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
PTSD symptoms usually fall into four broad categories. You might not have every symptom listed below, and the intensity can vary from person to person.
If you experience any of these for more than a month—and they disrupt your life—reach out for a professional evaluation.
Intrusive Memories
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Flashbacks – Reliving the event as if it’s happening in the present
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Nightmares – Vivid, distressing dreams about the trauma
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Unwanted Thoughts – Disturbing images or memories that pop into your mind
Avoidance
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Avoiding People or Places – Steering clear of anything that reminds you of the trauma
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Suppressing Thoughts – Trying not to think or talk about what happened
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Detachment – Feeling cut off from friends, family, or daily activities
Negative Thoughts & Feelings
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Persistent Fear, Guilt, or Shame – Feeling responsible or “wrong” for what happened
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Hopelessness & Pessimism – Believing the world is unsafe or that you can’t recover
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Emotional Numbness – Difficulty feeling happiness, love, or trust
Arousal & Reactivity
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Hypervigilance – Constantly “on guard” and easily startled
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Irritability or Angry Outbursts – Snapping at others over small things
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Sleep Problems – Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or restless sleep
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Difficulty Concentrating – “On-edge” feeling makes it hard to focus
How We Diagnose & Treat PTSD
Initial Evaluation
We start with a compassionate conversation to understand your experience and how it’s affecting your life. We may use standard questionnaires to get a clearer picture of your symptoms. In some cases, a medical check helps rule out other causes.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Every healing journey is different. We typically combine therapy and medication, tailored to your needs. Talk therapies like CBT help you shift unhelpful thoughts, while approaches like EMDR or exposure therapy can ease the weight of past memories. Some people also find strength and connection through group therapy.
When needed, we may prescribe medications—like antidepressants or sleep aids—to ease anxiety, depression, or sleep issues that come with PTSD. Lifestyle changes, such as better sleep, movement, and stress reduction techniques, also play a key role. Building a safe, supportive circle around you is part of your recovery, too.
Ongoing Support
We’ll check in regularly—either in person or online—to make sure your plan evolves with your progress. And If you have thoughts of harming yourself, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PTSD only for combat veterans?
No. PTSD can affect anyone after a traumatic event—accident victims, assault survivors, first responders, and more.
How soon after trauma does PTSD appear?
Symptoms often start within a few weeks to months. Sometimes they appear years later, especially with repeated or ongoing trauma.
Do I have to relive my trauma in therapy?
No. Therapists guide you at your own pace. You decide what you want to share and when, so you feel safe throughout.
Can I recover without medication?
Talk therapy alone helps many people. Medication is an option if symptoms (like severe anxiety or depression) make daily life too hard.
What if I feel ashamed or guilty about what happened?
Those feelings are common. Therapy helps you process guilt and shame by separating your actions from the trauma itself.
Take a Quick Self-Check for Depression Symptoms
Not sure if you are experiencing PTSD? Try a simple online self-check to better understand your symptoms and decide if you need professional support:
Gen Advanced Healthcare
We are committed to making quality mental healthcare accessible and engaging. We honor the courage it takes to seek support by providing expert, compassionate care for individuals and families navigating emotional, stress-related, and psychiatric challenges.
Contact Us
Address: 600 1st Avenue Ste 102 Seattle WA 98104
Telephone: (206) 895-1259; 18009271936
Fax: (206) 895-1274
Email: admin@GENadvancedhealthcare.com
Open: Mon. – Fri.: 7am – 5pm; Sat.: 7am-1pm