The difference between trauma and PTSD

Trauma and PTSD may seem similar at first, but the difference is in the details. Trauma is an emotional response to a dangerous or distressing situation, while PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, but those who do may need additional support to help them manage symptoms. 

Knowing the similarities and differences between trauma and PTSD can help you get the support you need. 

Symptoms of a trauma response vs. PTSD

Most people will experience at least one traumatic life event — often before the age of 16. Abuse, neglect, natural disasters, and acts of mass violence are a few examples of potentially traumatizing events. 

Everyone has their own way of experiencing trauma, but some common trauma responses include anger, fear, helplessness, and numbness. Trauma can affect your behavior, leaving you on edge or wanting to spend more time by yourself. It can even cause physical symptoms, like headaches, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. 

Trauma symptoms often begin shortly after the traumatic event and begin to improve within the following weeks or months. But if your symptoms are severe enough to impact daily functioning and last for at least a month, you may be experiencing PTSD. 

To meet the criteria for PTSD, symptoms must fall into the following categories:

• At least one re-experiencing symptom, like flashbacks, distressing thoughts, and recurring nightmares related to the event
• At least one avoidance symptom, like staying away from people, places, or objects that remind you of your trauma
• At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms, like feeling tense, difficulty concentrating, and engaging in risky or reckless behaviors
• At least two cognition and mood symptoms, like social isolation, loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed, and negative emotions like shame and guilt

The care you need, when you need it

Learn how Rula can support your mental health journey

Subscribe

I agree to receive emails from Rula and accept the terms outlined in Client Email Consent and Privacy Policy.

Why language matters when we talk about trauma

When living with trauma, it can sometimes feel difficult to put your experience into words. There are multiple definitions of trauma, which can make it even more confusing and complicated to talk about. 

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there are three “Es” of trauma: the event, experience, and effect. Two people can go through the same event but have different experiences and effects. Your experience is how you perceive the event, while effects describe any adverse symptoms or behavior changes. 

Let’s use a car accident as an example. Being in an accident can be terrifying and overwhelming. It might cause nightmares, flashbacks, and panic at the thought of driving again. These symptoms could resolve within a few weeks or months on their own, or they could lead to long-term issues that impact your daily life. 

So how do you know if you’ll develop PTSD? It’s not always possible to prevent or avoid a traumatic event, but several factors may influence your likelihood of experiencing PTSD. These include: 

• Co-occurring health conditions: You’re more likely to develop PTSD if you have a co-occurring mental health condition, like anxiety or depression.
• History of trauma: Previous traumatic experiences, particularly during childhood, may increase your risk of PTSD.
• Limited social support: Not feeling supported by your family and friends after a traumatic event can increase the likelihood of developing PTSD.
• Additional stressors: Dealing with added stress, like with a serious injury or the loss of a loved one, can also affect your trauma response. 
• The type of trauma: PTSD stems from all sorts of traumatic events, but some research suggests that trauma involving interpersonal violence is more likely to cause PTSD. 

Steps towards healing from trauma and PTSD

Trauma can have a profound impact on how you think about yourself and your place in the world. Whether you experienced a single traumatic event or prolonged exposure to distressing circumstances, you deserve to feel seen, safe, and supported.

It may be tempting to bottle up your pain or pretend something didn’t happen, but living with unmanaged trauma or PTSD usually leads to more problems down the line. Instead, think about confiding in someone you trust. Friends and family are a great place to start, but many people also benefit from speaking with a mental health professional. You may even want to look for a trauma-informed therapist who’s trained to help you understand the connection between trauma and your mental and physical health.

During therapy, the goal is to provide you with a supportive space to process your experience, build your confidence and self-esteem, and reduce your symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and psychodynamic therapy are just a few examples of therapeutic approaches designed to help people reach their trauma recovery goals. 

While there’s no real timeline for healing trauma and PTSD, some signs that you’re on the road to recovery include:

• You’re able to talk about or reflect on the trauma without re-experiencing it. 
• You have a renewed sense of purpose in your life.
• You feel less isolated and more connected to others.
• You feel more positive and hopeful about the future.

Find care with Rula

If you’ve experienced a traumatic event, you shouldn’t have to process your pain and fear on your own. Whether you’ve recently been through something distressing or you suspect you’ve been living with long-term PTSD, Rula is here to help. 

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best. 

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

Find a provider with Rula