How Common Is PTSD?
If you’ve lived through a traumatic event, you’re not alone. Nearly half of all U.S. adults will experience at least one trauma in their lives. But not everyone will develop PTSD.
Research by the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) shows that about 3.6% of U.S. adults had posttraumatic stress disorder in the past year, and around 6.8% have experienced it at some point in their lives. Women are more likely to be affected than men. PTSD can cause serious mental health symptoms, making it difficult to work, connect with others, or handle daily functioning.
Research from the National Comorbidity Survey – Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A) also found that 5% of adolescents have had PTSD, with girls affected more than boys.
Even though PTSD is common, effective treatment is available—and with the right support, healing is possible.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Guide
If you’ve experienced trauma, you might notice changes in how you think, feel, or respond to the world around you. These are often symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—a serious but treatable mental health condition that can develop after a traumatic event.
Understanding your symptoms is the first step toward healing. We’re here to help you recognize what you’re going through and support you with compassionate, personalized PTSD treatment in Massachusetts.
Recognizing PTSD Symptoms
Symptoms of PTSD often fall into four main categories. Each person responds differently after experiencing trauma, but here’s what to look for:
Intrusive Memories
You might feel like the traumatic experience is following you, even when you’re trying to move forward. These symptoms include:
- Distressing, unwanted memories of the traumatic event
- Flashbacks that make you feel like it’s happening all over again
- Nightmares or intense dreams related to the trauma
- Strong emotional or physical reactions to reminders of the traumatic event
Avoidance
Avoidance is your brain’s way of trying to protect you, but it can also hold you back from healing. Common signs include:
- Avoiding thoughts, feelings, or conversations about what happened
- Steering clear of places, people, or activities that bring up traumatic memories
Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood
PTSD can impact your overall outlook and emotional well-being, making it hard to reconnect with yourself and others.
You may experience:
- Persistent negative thoughts about yourself or the world
- Feelings of hopelessness about the future
- Difficulty remembering important parts of the trauma
- Struggles with close relationships
- Emotional detachment or feeling numb
- Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
- Trouble experiencing joy or love
Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions
Your body and emotions might always feel on edge. These changes can disrupt daily functioning and include:
- Feeling easily startled or constantly on high alert
- Reckless or self-destructive behavior (like substance use or dangerous driving)
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Difficulty focusing
- Angry outbursts or aggressive behavior
- Overwhelming guilt or shame
PTSD Treatment Massachusetts: You Don’t Have to Face PTSD Alone
If these symptoms have lasted more than a month and are interfering with your life, it may be time to speak with a mental health professional. PTSD symptoms are not a sign of weakness—they’re a response to trauma. And with the right support, healing is possible.
We offer evidence-based treatment options including cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, group therapy, and individual therapy. We specialize in treating PTSD in young adults, first responders, survivors of sexual assault, and anyone affected by trauma.
What Causes PTSD?
If you’ve experienced a traumatic event, you might be wondering why it affected you the way it did—and why some people seem to recover while others struggle with symptoms of PTSD. The truth is, posttraumatic stress disorder doesn’t come from one single cause. It’s shaped by many factors: your biology, your past, your environment, and even the kind of trauma you went through. Understanding these causes can help you feel less alone and remind you that what you’re feeling makes sense.
Let’s take a look at these causes based on the latest research.
Trauma Is the Root
PTSD always begins with trauma. According to the DSM-5-TR, trauma means being exposed to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This could be something you directly experienced or witnessed, or something that happened to someone close to you. In some cases, even professionals like first responders or members of the military who are repeatedly exposed to traumatic details can develop PTSD symptoms. No matter how it happens, a traumatic experience can overwhelm your sense of safety, and that’s where the healing work begins.
How Trauma Changes the Way You Think and Feel
One research-based theory called shattered assumptions explains how trauma can change the way you see the world. Before trauma, you may have believed the world was a safe, fair, and meaningful place. Afterward, those beliefs can feel broken. This shift can lead to persistent negative thoughts, emotional numbness, and difficulties with trust—all common PTSD symptoms. People with PTSD often struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, or fear that linger long after the trauma ends.
Your Brain’s Response Matters
Science shows that trauma triggers a physical response in your body, including a surge of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. If you continue to feel unsafe, your brain may stay stuck in survival mode. Over time, this can lead to changes in brain structure and function. For example, research shows that people with PTSD may have an overactive amygdala (the brain’s fear center) and difficulty calming down due to a less responsive frontal lobe. This helps explain why flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and hypervigilance are so common in PTSD.
Not Everyone Responds the Same Way
Why do some people develop PTSD while others don’t? It often comes down to risk factors. If you’ve experienced early life trauma, have a history of anxiety disorders, or struggle with substance abuse, you may be more vulnerable. Other factors include childhood adversity, low social support, low socioeconomic status, and even physical injuries like traumatic brain injury. Research also shows that women are more likely to develop PTSD than men, and repeated trauma over time increases the risk.
The Role of Social Support
Feeling isolated after trauma can make things worse. On the other hand, having people who listen, validate your experience, and offer emotional support can reduce your risk of developing PTSD. Social support is a key protective factor, especially during the first few weeks after a traumatic event. That’s why treatment for PTSD often includes group therapy, individual therapy, or support groups that help you reconnect and feel seen.
Why This Matters
You didn’t choose to experience trauma, and you didn’t choose to develop PTSD. But you can choose to get support. With the right treatment plan, which might include cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, or trauma-focused CBT, you can begin to heal.
We understand that PTSD is more than just a diagnosis. It’s a lived experience, one that affects your daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being. Our compassionate team is here to help you explore your therapy options and find the path that’s right for you.
Diagnosing PTSD
The diagnosis of PTSD requires a detailed assessment by a mental health expert, encompassing clinical interviews, psychological evaluations, and a review of medical history. Our team adopts a meticulous approach to accurately diagnose PTSD, ensuring that each patient receives a personalized and effective treatment plan.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Solutions at Revitalize Wellness Center in Norwell, MA
We provide compassionate, research-based PTSD treatment in Massachusetts, tailored to your unique experiences and needs. Our caring team of mental health professionals is here to help you manage symptoms of PTSD and reclaim a sense of control, calm, and connection in your life.
Personalized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD
One of the most effective ways to treat posttraumatic stress disorder is through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). At Revitalize Wellness Center, we offer cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure therapy (PE)—two trusted approaches proven to reduce intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and emotional distress. These therapies help you reframe negative beliefs, reduce fear responses, and begin to feel safe in your own body and mind again.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
If you’ve been carrying the weight of traumatic memories, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) may offer powerful relief. This innovative therapy uses guided eye movements to help your brain safely process and release difficult experiences. Many people with PTSD find EMDR especially helpful in reducing flashbacks, anxiety, and emotional triggers, without needing to relive every detail out loud.
Expert Medication Support for PTSD
For some individuals, PTSD symptoms like sleep issues, emotional numbness, and anxiety may require additional support. That’s why we provide expert medication management as part of your overall treatment plan. We may recommend SSRIs or SNRIs, both widely used to help regulate mood and reduce PTSD-related symptoms. Our approach to medication is thoughtful, collaborative, and centered on your overall mental health and long-term well-being.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Living with PTSD can feel like your body is always on high alert. Our holistic approach includes mindfulness and relaxation strategies that support emotional and physical healing. Through meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation, you can learn to stay grounded in the moment and gently guide your nervous system back to balance.
Your Healing Starts Here: Reclaim Your Life with Personalized PTSD Treatment
Healing from posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, or other mental health issues is possible—and it starts with the right support. At Revitalize Wellness Center in Norwell, MA, we offer personalized, research-backed treatment options including cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, eye movement desensitization, and trauma-focused CBT to help you move forward with clarity and strength.
Whether you’re coping with PTSD symptoms, anxiety disorders, or the aftermath of a traumatic event, our compassionate team is here to help you gain control, restore balance, and achieve long-term recovery.
Take the first step today. Contact Revitalize Wellness Center to build your personalized treatment plan and begin your journey toward lasting well-being.
FAQ
The main treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder typically includes trauma-focused CBT, such as cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization. These evidence-based methods help you process traumatic memories, reduce distress, and regain control over your daily life. At Revitalize Wellness Center, we personalize your care plan to match your symptoms and goals.
Cognitive therapy focuses on identifying distorted thinking patterns, while cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combines this with behavior change strategies. Both are useful in treating PTSD, but CBT is more comprehensive. Our clinicians use CBT techniques in weekly sessions to support your healing after a traumatic event.
Medications—especially SSRIs and SNRIs—are commonly used alongside therapy. These can help reduce PTSD symptoms, improve sleep, and manage depression or anxiety disorders. As with all treatments, there may be possible side effects, which your provider will explain during your assessment. We’ll also monitor your response and adjust as needed.
Many people who’ve experienced trauma—including sexual assault, serious injury, or military combat—may feel overwhelmed but unsure if they “qualify” for a diagnosis. If your symptoms have lasted more than a month, and you’re having difficulty with daily functioning, it’s time to seek professional help. A complete evaluation may include a physical exam, mental health screening, and trauma history.
We provide specialized care for young adults, first responders, and individuals with complex trauma. These groups often have unique challenges, such as exposure to natural disasters, workplace trauma, or repeated distressing events. We tailor our treatment options to meet the needs of each individual because we know people respond differently to trauma.
Talk therapy is a broad term that includes psychotherapy approaches like CBT, EMDR, and support groups. It allows you to share your experiences, explore your thoughts and emotions, and build coping tools in a safe space. For many people with PTSD, talk therapy is part of an effective treatment plan that fosters resilience, clarity, and long-term recovery.
We stay updated with the latest clinical trials and findings from trusted sources like the National Library of Medicine. This allows us to provide the most up-to-date care and evaluate the effectiveness of new therapies, certain medications, and alternative approaches for mental health conditions.
Therapy enhances a person’s ability to regulate emotions, reduce fear responses, and respond effectively to triggers. Whether you’re navigating mental health issues, substance use, or grief, therapy gives you tools to process pain and move forward with confidence and strength.
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559129
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd