PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

PTSD is often triggered by traumatic experiences in our past or things we've seen.

I recently saw a news story where a young woman in a self-driving vehicle was helplessly trapped inside when two men decided to step in front of the vehicle to make the vehicle stop in an attempt to get the young woman to provide her phone number. She said the incident was unsettling, yet she had been looking forward to the development of driver-less vehicles because, "she has anxiety about driving due to a serious car accident as a child and has been looking forward to this kind of technology for years."

Even though the story did point out issues of concern to address as we embrace new technology, what grabbed my attention was the part when she said she "has anxiety about driving due to a serious car accident as a child." That, my friends, is what PTSD is and does to us.

We will all suffer traumatic incidents in our lives. We will all handle some of those incidents effectively, while others have the ability to harm or impact us throughout life.

Those who have been impacted by hurricanes, floods, tornados, fires, traumas or disasters will experience PTSD. And every time they see it happen again, even if in other countries, on TV or the internet, or to people they'll never know or meet, those memories resurface in their minds. When that happens, what will be the reaction? What mental tools will we put into place to protect ourselves? Will we reach out to help others?

PTSD is a weight borne psychologically. It cripples our ability to move forward without anxiety and fear. It doesn't allow us to put things into perspective or balance. It's heavy on our minds and bodies, it affects our personalities, and it blocks us from living the full lives we should have opportunity to enjoy.

It can also inspire us to help others who may be suffering from traumas. Having lived through a trauma may make us know more about how to get through it and help others recover who are going through similar traumas. We understand how they feel.

PTSD is more common than people realize but the good news is that it can be addressed effectively through counseling, special types of therapy, or actions.

Studies indicate that both humans and animals may suffer from PTSD.

PTSD affects 30% of combat veterans, 33% of rape victims and 8 million people worldwide. Many suffered from PTSD during Covid and some of those people still don’t realize they continue to be impacted by PTSD.

Others experience PTSD due to trauma they experienced as children, oftentimes hidden deep within their memories. Some, as adults, felt they should now be "strong enough to handle anxiety or fears" resulting from traumas.

Oftentimes, we are socialized not to share or verbally express any weakness. That "tough guy" attitude translates into forcing us to try to internally handle PTSD in order not to appear weak or lacking a strong character. Did you know that animals can also suffer from PTSD? “Quite a few of the dogs that come back from Afghanistan or Iraq or police dogs that are involved in violent confrontations where there's gunfire can in fact exhibit the symptoms and suffer from PTSD.” (Robert Crais (American Author, writer)

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is described as: “psychological reaction occurring after experiencing a highly stressing event (such as wartime combat, physical violence, or a natural disaster) usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event —also called also post-traumatic stress syndrome” (Merriam Webster Dictionary).

You don't necessarily have to be a victim in a traumatic event, or even a witness in person to suffer from it. Repeated exposure (such as via TV or media impacted an entire generation of children who developed, and still have, free-floating childhood anxiety that has turned into free-floating adult anxiety, from witnessing repeated TV coverage of 9/11 or January 6th attacks. Adults, children, adolescents and the elderly currently still suffer from the trauma of Covid virus related PTSD, especially if they witnessed firsthand a death due to Covid or a difficult recovery. Most don’t even realize it but will suffer from the trauma for years to come unless they receive help or seek treatment to address the issue.

The human brain is made to remember…not forget. 

When a traumatic event is stored in our memory, it is installed with so much adrenalin, due to the fear experienced, that every time that memory is triggered, we don’t just recall the event, we “re-live” the terrifying emotions associated with the memory. By reliving the feelings related to that trauma, it reinforces the trauma and can make things even worse.

Unexpected events, natural disasters, or things beyond our control make us believe we are in danger.

In the mid-1970's, my wife and I lived through a tropical storm that stalled over the Texas Hill Country. The area had just been called a "National Drought Area" by the Texas governor, but then the tropical storm stalled over the area. It rained so fast and furiously that the earth could not absorb the water fast enough. The damage was intense. People had to be air-lifted out of the area as roads were washed away or inaccessible, we lost all electricity and phone services, the National Guard came in to protect people in the area, and looters suddenly appeared to further harm survivors by stealing whatever items of value they could find. We lost seven friends who drowned in the flooding, from a small child to elderly friends.

That trauma so impacted my wife and I that we've never bought any home or property that didn't have a survey indicating it was built out of a 500-year flood plain range. We know trauma and were determined to learn how to address and understand what we'd lived through. The experience taught us to prepare for the future without obsessive mentalities, to understand no one is in control of everything in the world, and that we can recover from traumas, even if it is difficult or takes time to do so. Having others who support you can be vital in your recovery.

PTSD and the Past: It’s not the person refusing to let go of the past, but the past refusing to let go of the person.” (Author unknown)

Understanding PTSD

When someone is living with PTSD, it can feel as if the traumatic event is still happening inside their body, even long after the danger has passed. Flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive memories aren’t signs of weakness—they’re signs that the nervous system is still trying to make sense of something overwhelming. Many people describe it as being “hijacked” by their own mind at the worst possible moments.

For loved ones watching this happen, it can be confusing, frustrating, or even frightening. You may see the person you care about suddenly shut down, pull away, or react intensely to something that seems small. None of this is intentional. PTSD is the brain’s attempt to protect itself, even when those protections no longer fit the situation.

How PTSD Impacts Daily Life

People with PTSD often begin avoiding things that reminds them of the trauma—places, conversations, situations, and even certain emotions. It’s not because they don’t want to heal; it’s because the feelings are so overwhelming they consider avoidance as a survival strategy. Sometimes they avoid sleep itself, fearing the nightmares that come with it.

Others become hyperaware of their surroundings, scanning for danger even in safe places. A sudden noise, a shift in tone, a bright light, an unexpected movement, or a crowded room can trigger a surge of fear. Loved ones may notice an exaggerated startle response or a constant sense of tension, as if the person is bracing for something bad to happen...always on alert.

Some people go numb, feeling disconnected from their own emotions. Others swing between agitation and withdrawal.

Alcohol or substances may become a way to quiet the internal chaos, but these make the symptoms worse and increase impulsivity.

And all of this affects relationships. Couples may argue more. Families may feel confused or shut out. Friends may not know how to help or respond. The person with PTSD may feel guilty for their impact on others, which only deepens their isolation.

Support That Helps

Healing doesn’t happen in isolation.

Here are a few ways people can support their loved ones in meaningful, practical ways:

• A spouse learns to sit quietly beside their partner during a flashback, offering grounding by saying, “You’re here with me. You’re safe.” No pressure. No fixing. Just presence.

• A family creates a predictable evening routine so their child feels calmer before bedtime—dim lights, soft music, a warm shower. Over time, sleep can become less frightening.

• A friend encourages small steps back into the world, like meeting at a quiet café instead of a crowded restaurant. They don’t push—they walk at the survivor’s pace.

• A couple attend therapy together, learning how triggers work and how to communicate during difficult moments. They learn how to feel like a team again, not two people on opposite sides of a problem.

  
  

Small acts of understanding can make an enormous difference!

Treatment: What Healing Can Look Like

PTSD treatment takes courage. Therapists know this. The very things a survivor wants to avoid—reliving memories, emotions, or sensations are often the things therapy gently helps them face, at a pace that feels safe.

Talk therapy, whether individual, family, or group, helps survivors understand their symptoms and regain a sense of control.

Physician prescribed and reaction-monitored medications may ease anxiety, depression, or sleep problems, though they aren’t a cure on their own.

Many people find significant relief through approaches like EMDR or Neurofeedback to help the brain process trauma in ways that don’t require retelling or reliving every detail. These methods can reduce the intensity of triggers and help the nervous system settle. They can help an individual begin to 'let go' of the trauma and heal. If a person is a suitable subject for hypnotherapy, this may also be considered and may be effective with PTSD.

There is no one-size-fits-all plan. The best treatment is personalized—built around the survivor’s history, needs, and strengths.

Where People Find Help

Support can come from many places: the VA (Veteran's Administration), rape crisis centers, trauma‑informed therapists, community clinics, and online resources.

PTSD is also recognized as a disability when symptoms interfere with work, and financial support may be available.

But the most powerful resource is often the support system surrounding the survivor—family, friends, faith communities, trusted coworkers. Healing is easier when someone feels believed, supported, and not alone.

What PTSD Survivors Need Most

Above all, they need hope. Not false reassurance, but the steady understanding that healing is possible. They need people who will walk beside them, not rush them. People who understand that PTSD is not a character flaw—it’s a wound.

Lori Goodwin said it beautifully: “If you are here today, you are a survivor… Those of us who have made it through hell and are still standing? We bear a different name: warriors.”

PTSD may change someone’s life, but it does not have to define their future. With support, treatment, and compassion—from themselves and from those who love them—healing becomes not just possible, but a reality.

Don’t isolate! There is help to address PTSD.

If you are suffering from PTSD, contact our offices (210-970-1511, CliftonFuller.com) or a counselor with experience addressing PTSD.

Additional Resources:

1. PTSD: National Center for PTSD Home

2. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Resources | Symptoms, Treatment & Support

3. Coping With Traumatic Events - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

4. Mental Health America (MHA)   A leading nonprofit offering education, screening tools, and support for people managing mental health conditions, including PTSD. https://mhanational.org

5. The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT)   Provides trauma‑informed care, healing resources, and advocacy for survivors of torture and severe trauma. https://www.cvt.org

6. The Big Fix   Uses a one‑health, community‑based approach to support people and communities recovering from traumatic events. https://www.thebigfix.org

7. The PTSD Alliance   A coalition of professional and advocacy organizations offering education and resources for individuals with PTSD and their loved ones. https://www.ptsdalliance.org

8. National Center for PTSD (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)   The world’s leading research and educational resource for PTSD and traumatic stress. https://www.ptsd.va.gov

9. PTSD: National Center for PTSD – Home Page   Provides evidence‑based treatments, self‑help tools, and trauma‑related education for survivors and families. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp

10. World Health Organization (WHO) – Mental Health & Emergencies   Responds to the mental health needs of people affected by conflict, disaster, and humanitarian crises. https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/mental-health-and-emergencies (who.int in Bing)

    
    

    These organizations offer crisis support, trauma‑informed education, treatment guidance, and advocacy. Anyone affected by PTSD—survivors, families, or caregivers—can explore these sites to find local services, evidence‑based treatment options, and additional support.