Post-traumatic stress disorder types affect people in different ways depending on the nature and length of the trauma.
Anat Joseph, LCSW, PsyA, draws on years of clinical experience to help individuals better understand how different kinds of PTSD shape emotional well-being, relationships, and daily life.
This guide explores symptoms, causes, and treatment approaches for this mental health condition.
Understanding PTSD
PTSD is a mental health condition that can follow traumatic events. It affects how people think, feel, and function in everyday life.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It may stem from a car accident, sexual assault, natural disaster, or ongoing stress over time.
Listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), PTSD impacts thoughts and feelings, behavior, and emotional stability.
How PTSD Affects the Brain
Trauma shifts how the brain responds to stress. The amygdala, which detects threats, becomes overactive, while the prefrontal cortex, responsible for calming reactions, may become less responsive. This imbalance can keep the body in a state of constant alertness.
These neurological shifts affect how individuals experience danger, safety, and emotional regulation. Left untreated, they can lead to long-term distress and behavioral changes.
What Are the Main Causes of PTSD?
Understanding what causes PTSD helps individuals and clinicians identify risk factors and take steps toward healing.
PTSD can result from either a single event or prolonged exposure to trauma. The more severe or repeated the trauma, the greater the risk.
Common causes include:
- Sexual assault or abuse
- Major car accidents
- Natural disasters like floods or earthquakes
- War or combat experiences
- Serious medical events or diagnoses
- Childhood neglect or repeated emotional harm
In some cases, indirect exposure—such as learning about the violent death of a loved one—can also lead to PTSD.
PTSD Symptoms: What Are the 17 Signs?
PTSD symptoms affect emotional, physical, and cognitive well-being. Identifying these signs is key to getting proper treatment.
PTSD symptoms are typically grouped into four categories:
- Intrusive memories – Repeated flashbacks, disturbing dreams, or unwanted thoughts
- Avoidance – Staying away from reminders like people, places, or activities
- Negative thought patterns – Ongoing guilt, shame, or emotional disconnection
- Hyperarousal – Being easily startled, irritable, or having sleep and focus problems
Other symptoms may include loss of interest in daily activities, a sense of hopelessness, and difficulty concentrating.
Types of PTSD and Related Conditions
PTSD does not manifest in the same way for everyone. This section breaks down the various types and what makes each unique.
How Many Types of PTSD Are There?
There are different types of PTSD, each defined by how trauma was experienced and the emotional response that followed. Recognizing the various kinds of PTSD helps guide the proper treatment.
Some types are short-term and may resolve on their own, while others are chronic and require long-term support.
What Are the 5 Types of PTSD?
| PTSD Type | Cause or Duration | Key Features |
| Normal Stress | Short-term reaction to trauma | Temporary distress fades over time |
| Acute Stress | Within 1 month of trauma | Flashbacks, anxiety, dissociation |
| Uncomplicated PTSD | Single traumatic event | Avoidance, nightmares, tension |
| Complex PTSD | Long-term or repeated trauma | Emotional detachment, shame, and mistrust |
| Comorbid PTSD | With another disorder | PTSD + depression, anxiety, or addiction |
These represent the main types of PTSD disorders recognized by clinicians. Each requires a specific treatment approach.
Dissociative PTSD
This subtype involves detachment and disconnection. It’s more than just emotional numbness.
Dissociative PTSD can involve:
- Feeling detached from your surroundings or body
- Gaps in memory related to the trauma
- Difficulty connecting with others or emotions
This form often emerges after extreme or ongoing trauma. Dissociation serves as a coping tool when the mind cannot fully absorb what happened.
Comparing PTSD Types: Acute vs. Complex vs. CPTSD
Different forms of PTSD have overlapping but distinct traits. Knowing the differences helps target effective care.
- Acute Stress Disorder: Short-lived, may resolve with minimal intervention
- Complex PTSD: Linked to repeated trauma; affects identity, trust, and emotions
- PTSD: Triggered by one traumatic event; often includes flashbacks and avoidance
Comparing forms of PTSD helps clarify what kind of support or treatment might be most effective.
Complex PTSD: Subtypes and Symptoms
CPTSD goes beyond typical PTSD signs and often disrupts relationships and self-perception.
Complex PTSD includes classic PTSD symptoms, plus:
- Ongoing self-criticism and negative beliefs
- Emotional instability and distrust of others
- Chronic fear, sadness, or disconnection
Anat Joseph works with individuals experiencing complex PTSD, providing in-depth therapeutic support through psychoanalysis and long-term care.
Do I Have BPD or Complex PTSD?
CPTSD and BPD can look similar. This section helps clarify the differences.
These conditions can look similar, but they’re not the same:
- Complex PTSD is rooted in trauma
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) involves mood shifts and unstable relationships, not always linked to trauma.
Mental health professionals can help distinguish between the two through evaluation and discussion.
Trauma and Its Impact
Trauma doesn’t just affect the moment it occurs—it has lasting impacts. This section looks at those effects.
What Kinds of Trauma Can Cause PTSD?
PTSD may develop after:
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Intimate partner violence
- Combat exposure or captivity
- Life-threatening illness or injury
- Sudden, unexpected loss
Even non-violent trauma, like a medical scare, can trigger long-term emotional distress in some people.
Common Trauma Responses
Right after trauma, the body and mind respond in several ways. Some are temporary, others may linger.
People may react to trauma with:
- Shock or emotional numbness
- Feelings of guilt or blame
- Trouble remembering details
- Withdrawing from social contact
In some cases, these reactions develop into long-term symptoms that require mental health care.
What Are Trauma Bonds and How Do They Affect PTSD?
Trauma bonds create emotional confusion. They often form in abusive or manipulative relationships.
Trauma bonds occur when someone forms an emotional connection with a person who causes them harm. This can:
- Increase confusion and fear
- Make leaving harmful situations harder
- Deepen PTSD symptoms over time
These bonds often require therapeutic support to break.
Diagnosing and Treating PTSD
Diagnosis is the first step toward recovery. This section explains how PTSD is assessed and treated.
Diagnosing Types and Levels of PTSD
Mental health professionals assess PTSD by evaluating:
- What kind of trauma occurred
- How long have symptoms lasted
- The effect on daily life and relationships
- Co-occurring issues like substance abuse
There are various levels of post-traumatic stress disorder, from mild disruptions to deeply rooted, long-term patterns.
Accurate diagnosis ensures that each individual receives the most suitable form of care.
Why Is PTSD So Hard to Treat?
PTSD is treatable, but certain factors make recovery more complex. This section explains why.
PTSD can be complex to treat because:
- People may avoid facing the trauma
- Symptoms are sometimes hidden or denied
- Chronic trauma can reshape how the brain reacts
- There’s often fear about revisiting painful memories
Yet with proper care, people can rebuild safety, trust, and emotional balance.
PTSD Treatment Options That Work
A combination of therapies often yields the best results. This section reviews effective options.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Helps challenge distorted thoughts and develop healthier reactions to triggers.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Guides people through recognizing, confronting, and shifting harmful trauma beliefs.
Psychoanalysis and Long-Term Therapy
With guidance from Anat Joseph, long-term therapy supports recovery at a deeper emotional level.
Medication and Psychiatric Support
Medications like SSRIs may help with depression, anxiety, or insomnia.
Body-Based and Holistic Approaches
Breathing techniques, grounding exercises, and movement therapy help restore calm and body awareness.
These treatments are often combined, based on the person’s history and the specific forms of PTSD they are living with.
When to Seek Professional Support
It’s time to reach out if:
- Symptoms have lasted more than a month
- You feel emotionally disconnected
- Daily tasks feel overwhelming
- You rely on substances to cope
In a crisis, call 988 to reach a trained counselor.
Seeking help early can prevent symptoms from worsening and increase the chances of a successful recovery.
What to Expect from PTSD Therapy
Therapy provides a safe space for healing and progress. Here’s what typically happens.
Therapy focuses on safety, trust, and emotional support. With time, individuals often gain new insight into their trauma, regain emotional control, and develop practical ways to cope.
Anat Joseph offers trauma-informed therapy tailored to both immediate concerns and long-term healing. Consider scheduling an appointment.
Because Your Happiness Matters
