Trauma can change the way you think, feel, and experience the world. Those who have experienced trauma may find themselves constantly on edge, avoiding reminders of what happened, struggling with nightmares, or feeling disconnected from the people they love.
These symptoms are often a sign of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Whether the trauma occurred recently or many years ago, was a singular event or a chronic stressor, recovery is possible with the right support. With trauma-informed therapy, many find relief from PTSD symptoms, strengthen their relationships, regain confidence, and begin to feel safe again.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event or series of events.
Many people associate PTSD with military combat, but trauma can come in many forms and can affect anyone regardless of age, background, or life experience.
Some people may be able to recover from a traumatic event, but without the proper support, the effects of trauma may persist and begin interfering with work, school, relationships, or everyday functioning.
When these symptoms cause significant, long-term stress, it is considered PTSD, a recognized and treatable condition, with research showing that therapy can significantly reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
What Can Cause PTSD?
PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing events that overwhelm a person’s sense of safety or control.
This can be a singular event, such as an assault, or a long-term or chronic stressor, such as emotional abuse.
A traumatic event does not have to be extremely violent or intense to cause symptoms of PTSD, such as a string of small car accidents.
Examples of experiences that could cause PTSD include:
- Physical assault
- Sexual assault, sexual abuse, or sex trafficking
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Domestic violence
- Emotional abuse
- Bullying
- Sudden loss of a loved one
- Mass shootings or terrorist attacks
- First responders, Medical caretakers, and case workers’ experiences
- Medical trauma
- Community violence
- Military combat
- Natural disasters
- Accidents, such as workplace or car accidents
Complex Trauma
Trauma can also be complex, meaning it occurs repeatedly or chronically over time, particularly during childhood. Ongoing trauma may contribute to symptoms more intense than PTSD, affecting emotional regulation, relationships, self-esteem, and identity.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of PTSD?
Everyone experiences trauma differently.
Some people primarily experience fear and anxiety, while others notice emotional numbness, irritability, depression, or difficulty trusting others.
PTSD symptoms may begin immediately after a traumatic event, or they may emerge months or even years later.
Research has shown the effects that trauma can have on the brain’s structure and processes, leading to common symptoms that fall into the following categories:
Intrusive Memories
Trauma can shrink your Hippocampus, the part of your brain responsible for solidifying memories, making it difficult to process your trauma logically.
This can lead to uncontrollable thoughts of the traumatic event, which can appear as:
- Flashbacks, or triggered feelings of being back in the event
- Distressing memories
- Nightmares
- Intrusive thoughts, or unwanted, uncomfortable thoughts
- Strong emotional or physical reactions to reminders or “triggers”
- Such as fear or flinching, angry outbursts, sweating, nausea, rapid heartbeat, or shaking
- Problems with memory, particularly with memories associated with the trauma
Hyperarousal and Reactivity
After trauma, your Amygdala may keep you in “survival mode,” the body’s way of protecting itself from further trauma. But when the danger has passed, this hyperarousal can make it difficult to relax.
Signs that your body is stuck in survival mode:
- Hypervigilance
- Being easily startled
- Irritability
- Angry outbursts
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Panic attacks
- Feeling constantly “on guard” or unsafe even when you’re protected
- Overthinking situations, actions, or words
Changes in Mood and Thinking
PTSD often affects the way people see themselves, others, and the world. When trauma isn’t processed in a purposeful, healthy, and lasting way, the brain can experience significant changes.
Changes to the Prefrontal Cortex can lead to false or unhelpful thoughts and feelings, such as:
- Persistent guilt or shame
- Blaming yourself or feeling responsible for the trauma
- Negative beliefs about yourself
- Difficulty trusting others
- Feeling disconnected from loved ones or having difficulty forming secure attachments
- Difficulty experiencing positive emotions or appropriate emotions
- Anxiety and Depression
Avoidance
Avoidance is the brain’s attempt to protect itself from painful memories. While it can help to avoid triggers in the short term, constant avoidance can become restrictive to enjoying everyday life.
Signs of avoidant behaviors can be:
- Avoiding certain places or people
- Staying constantly busy to avoid thinking
- Avoiding conversations about the trauma
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Feeling detached from yourself or your body
- Using alcohol or substances to cope
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
Physical Symptoms
Untreated PTSD can affect nearly every aspect of daily living due to its effect on the body’s stress hormone regulation.
Dysregulation of norepinephrine and cortisol levels creates the “fight or flight” feeling, leading to physical symptoms such as:
- Headaches or chronic migraines
- Chronic pain and autoimmune disorders
- Digestive problems
- Sleep disorders and fatigue
How Does Therapy Help Heal PTSD?
Living in survival mode can be exhausting. Therapy helps your brain and body learn that the traumatic event is over, allowing your nervous system to begin healing.
Trauma-informed therapy is not about forcing you to relive painful memories before you’re ready.
Instead, therapy focuses on helping you:
- Feel emotionally and physically safe
- Understand how trauma affects the brain and body
- Reduce anxiety and panic
- Improve sleep
- Process traumatic memories
- Develop healthy coping strategies
- Strengthen relationships
- Rebuild confidence
- Regain a sense of control over your life
Healing looks different for everyone. Your therapist will work collaboratively with you to create a treatment plan that fits your goals, experiences, and comfort level.
Evidence-Based PTSD Treatments and Approaches
At Handel Behavioral Health, our trauma-informed clinicians use research-supported therapies that have been shown to reduce PTSD symptoms.
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Trauma-Informed Therapy is an approach that takes into account how trauma affects each person differently and how it can impact a person’s mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual health.
Our clinicians provide an empathetic, non-judgmental space that allows you to unpack your trauma at your own pace and provide the tools to help you manage symptoms, navigate life’s challenges, and develop healthier ways of coping.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):
EMDR therapy helps the brain revisit traumatic memories in a safe and controlled way so they can be processed effectively with the guidance of a mental health professional.
The goal of EMDR is not to erase memories or make you forget what happened. Instead, it helps reduce the emotional intensity attached to those memories so they no longer feel overwhelming or continue to interfere with daily life.
Many clients find significant relief from the distress of their trauma and feel more grounded, empowered, and able to move forward.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify patterns of thinking and behavior that may keep trauma symptoms going. Clients learn practical skills for managing anxiety, challenging unhelpful beliefs, and improving emotional regulation.
CBT-trained therapists introduce positive, realistic, and constructive thoughts and behaviors into the cycle of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. As a result, clients experience thoughts, feelings, and behaviors aligned with hope, empowerment, and emotional stability, rather than destruction or limitation.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT is a specialized form of CBT developed specifically for PTSD. It helps people examine beliefs that developed after trauma, such as guilt, shame, or self-blame, and replace them with healthier, more balanced perspectives.
Medication for PTSD:
For some individuals, medication may be helpful alongside therapy to mitigate symptoms while they focus on healing.
Our psychiatric providers can evaluate if medication can help ease the symptoms of anxiety, depression, nightmares, or sleep disturbances while therapy addresses the underlying trauma.
Looking for Therapy for PTSD in Massachusetts?
You do not have to continue carrying the weight of trauma by yourself.
At Handel Behavioral Health, we provide PTSD therapy in Massachusetts for adults, adolescents, and older adults who have experienced traumatic events.
HBH’s compassionate, trauma-informed therapists understand that trauma affects everyone differently and that therapy should move at your pace. Our licensed clinicians offer evidence-based treatments that help you process traumatic experiences, reduce distressing symptoms, rebuild a sense of safety, and reconnect with your life.
If you are looking for PTSD therapy in Massachusetts or online trauma therapy, Handel Behavioral Health is here to help.
To start working with one of therapists for PTSD online in Massachusetts, or in-person from our Amherst, Natick, Franklin, West Springfield, or Wilbraham offices, contact us today at (413) 343-4357 or request an appointment online.
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