Stress is one of our body’s most basic responses that everyone experiences. However, feelings of chronic stress or trauma responses can have an adverse impact on your day-to-day life. These feelings can also be a sign of a more serious trauma or stress-related disorder. Feelings of overwhelming stress can be very hard to deal with, and it is essential that evidence-based therapy skills are used to manage these symptoms.
At Vogue Recovery Center, we understand how trauma and chronic stress can so negatively impact people through the many forms these disorders can manifest. This is why our mental health facilities provide specialized services for individuals struggling with PTSD, C-PTSD, and other trauma and stress-related disorders. Our team of skilled and experienced trauma-informed therapists is here around the clock to offer you the help you need to start the path towards a happier, healthier life.
What Are Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders?
Trauma and stress-related disorders are a growing topic of discussion for mental health professionals. In today’s world, these disorders can take a wide variety of forms, ranging from extreme instances of PTSD to more common issues such as chronic stress.
To better understand the various types of trauma and stress-related disorders, it is vital to know their causes, symptoms, and treatments. By learning more about these conditions, we are better able to help people facing adverse symptoms of trauma or stress obtain the necessary resources to move forward in their lives.
Trauma-Related Disorders
Traumatic experiences can generally be described as first-hand exposure to danger or witnessing a threatening event, such as a natural disaster, an accident, an act of violence, or war. The aftermath of experiencing one of these events can be challenging for an individual to process, leading to increased feelings of anxiety.
After experiencing a traumatic event, it is common for individuals to experience feelings of numbness or being overwhelmed. However, if persistent feelings of dysphoria, irritability, or dissociation occur, this may be an indication of the development of a trauma-related disorder.
Common Causes of Trauma
According to the Mayo Clinic, trauma-related disorders can be developed after going through, seeing, or learning about an event that involves death (be it actual or threatened), serious injury, or sexual assault. While healthcare professionals aren’t fully sure of why some people get PTSD and others don’t, there are a variety of factors that likely have an impact, such as inherited mental health risks and the way your brain regulates chemicals and hormones in response to stress.
Types of Trauma-Related Disorders
The most common form of trauma-related disorder that most people develop following an exposure to trauma is post-traumatic stress disorder, known as PTSD. When receiving a PTSD diagnosis, the disorder is categorized into two major forms: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PSTD).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The Psychiatric Clinics of North America define post-traumatic stress disorder as an anxiety disorder that “typically follows a psychologically traumatic event, and thus has a recognizable point of onset.” Post-traumatic disorder can present as either acute, where symptoms last less than 3 months, or chronic, where symptoms persist beyond that 3-month benchmark. In addition, PTSD symptoms do not always present immediately and can have a delayed onset after experiencing a traumatic event. It has been found that sometimes symptoms of PTSD will not begin to appear for up to six months.
Common Signs and Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD is characterized as a severe trauma and stress-related disorder following a traumatic experience. Experiencing numbness or sensations of being overwhelmed after a traumatic experience is normal, but persistent symptoms can indicate a trauma disorder.
Common symptoms of PTSD include:
- Anger outburts
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Avoidance and self-isolation
- Difficulty managing emotions
- Flashbacks
- Insomnia
- Low self-esteem
- Mood swings
- Negative or distorted thinking
- Nightmares
- Poor concentration
DSM-V Criteria for PTSD
Five primary categories of criteria are used to define the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, with an additional three qualifying criteria now being outlined by the DSM-V (the fifth edition of the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
The diagnostic criteria for PTSD include:
- Exposure to Danger
- Re-experiencing symptoms
- Avoidance symptoms
- Cognitive and mood symptoms
- Arousal and reactivity symptoms
- Symptoms cause distress and impairment
- Duration of symptoms
- Source of symptoms
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
The International Classification of Diseases, version 10 (ICD-10), issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the definition of complex post-traumatic stress disorder as a diagnosis comprised of “three [core] symptom groups of affective, relationship, and self-concept changes.” While the acknowledgment of C-PTSD as a disorder distinct from PTSD is relatively new, it has been recognized for a long time as having symptoms that differ from PTSD. Complex PTSD is typically the result of an extended, long-lasting exposure to traumatic experiences occurring over the course of years or even decades.
Signs and Symptoms of C-PTSD
People with complex PTSD tend to experience symptoms including:
- Problems regulating emotions, resulting in irritability, anger, or emotional numbness
- Self-esteem, self-image, or core beliefs are impacted by feelings of shame, guilt, or failure related to trauma
- Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships due to patterns of distrust and emotional detachment
ICD-11 Criteria for C-PTSD
The World Health Organization released the ICD-11 in 2018, officially denoting C-PTSD as an independent diagnosis from PTSD. Defining C-PTSD requires one of the two symptoms from the DSM-V criteria for PTSD, including:
- Intrusive re-experiencing, such as flashbacks and nightmares
- Avoidance of, or attempts to avoid, trauma reminders
- Hyperarousal, or a sense of ongoing threat, which leads to negative reactions
In addition to needing one of the above criteria, a C-PTSD diagnosis also requires one symptom from the three DSO (Disturbances of Self-Organization), which include:
- Emotional dysregulation
- Negative self-concept
- Difficulties in relationships
The distinction provided by the WHO in ICD-11 provides a differentiating factor between PTSD and C-PTSD that offers a deeper understanding of complex trauma. In doing so, the WHO established an evidence-based diagnostic tool that acknowledges the unique difficulties people face with complex PTSD on a day-to-day basis.
PTSD Vs C-PTSD
Generally, the distinction between PTSD and C-PTSD can be surmised as the difference in the length of the trauma exposure and how it will need to be treated. Continual and ongoing trauma typically indicates complex PTSD, whereas a single traumatic event is likely PTSD.
As the name suggests, complex post-traumatic stress disorder is a very complex disorder that typically necessitates intensive therapy treatment over extended periods. While PTSD and C-PTSD can have similar symptoms, the cause and length of these symptoms are emblematic of one disorder over the other.
Dangers of PTSD and C-PTSD
Common symptoms of PTSd include confusion, disorientation, and fear. If the reactions are intense enough, they can quickly interfere with someone’s ability to function or maintain their physical safety. For instance, if someone facing a post-traumatic stress disorder loses awareness of what is going on around them and begins to act aggressively as a result, it could lead them to harm themself or others. It is critical that one recognize the symptoms of a trauma disorder as early as possible so as to find professional help.
With the more subtle and complex symptoms of C-PTSD, it can be hard to recognize for people who aren’t familiar with trauma psychology. Common symptoms include a sense of feeling lost or disconnected from the present moment; difficulty trusting and forming relationships; an easily triggered fight, flight, or freeze response to perceived threats; and a maligned sense of guilt or shame. Due to the prolonged nature of C-PTSD, people with this disorder may additionally experience difficulties regulating their emotions, become easily overwhelmed, and/or experience suicidal ideation or self-harming behaviors.
Stress-Related Disorders
In today’s age, stress disorders are becoming increasingly common. A whole range of disorders can arise due to stress or stressors that have persistent and severe symptoms. These disorders do range in both symptoms and criteria for diagnosis, and some are short-term or acute, while others can be chronic afflictions.
In many cases, people develop a stress-related disorder following persistent exposure to chronic stress. Chronic stress is the long-term buildup of stress that has gone on for months or even years. Common causes of chronic stress include work, relationships, family history, and environment, among other influences. Stress can lead to a myriad of physical and mental health issues, ranging from depression, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, migraines, and a weakened immune system, among others physical and mental impacts.
How Do Stress-Related Disorders Occur?
Often, people develop stress-related disorders due to their environment, whether that is an abusive upbringing, a toxic workplace, or a dismissive partner. When put in high-stress environments, people with contributing psychological and genetic factors are more likely to push themselves despite the mental health impacts.
Common factors that can lead to the development of stress-related disorders include:
- Genetic predisposition for poor stress management
- Stressful living and workplace environments
- Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
- Exposure to trauma
- Chronic illness
Environmental and genetic risk factors can greatly impact someone’s ability to cope with stress, leading to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other stress-related disorders. Similarly, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to stress disorders. Those who struggle to cope with childhood trauma as adults also tend to struggle with stress-related mental health issues.
First-hand exposure to trauma and second-hand trauma, where a person is exposed to trauma through another person’s experience, can greatly increase someone’s stress. These traumatic experiences can alter the way a person perceives the world around them and can manifest in different ways, such as difficulty managing stress levels.
People with pre-existing health conditions may also be more prone to developing a stress-related disorder due to existing chronic issues that can amplify their experience of stress. This can include people living with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or bipolar disorder. This also includes those living with chronic physical health conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic pain.
Symptoms of Stress-Related Disorders
Symptoms of stress-related disorders can greatly vary depending on the type and source of the disorder. These symptoms can present themselves as physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral impacts, resulting in immense levels of distress.
Common signs and symptoms of stress-related disorders include:
- Irritability
- Impatience
- Mood swings
- Overwhelm
- Worry or tension
- Anxiety and fear
- Helplessness
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Loneliness or isolation
- Social withdrawal
- Intrusive memories
- Racing thoughts
- Lack of concentration
- Poor memory
- Difficulty making decisions
- Ahedonia (inability to feel pleasure)
- Worsening of pre-existing mental health conditions
Types of Stress-Related Disorders
Many cases of stress-related disorders develop in people following exposure to chronic stress. To encapsulate the varying ways these disorders can manifest, there are a number of different types of stress disorders that can be used to identify treatment options.
Common types of stress-related disorders include:
- Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
- Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
- Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)
- Adjustment Disorders
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
Acute stress disorder (ASD) can occur after you experience a traumatic event. This stress-related disorder is commonly associated with an intense fear that excessively interferes with daily activities and functioning for at least one month after the trauma has occurred. It is important to seek treatment for acute stress disorder, as it can lead to more serious mental health issues such as PTSD if left untreated.
Common symptoms of ASD can include:
- Anxiety
- Intense fear
- Helplessness
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Disassociation
- Emotional numbness
- Avoidance behaviors
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is a stress-related disorder that affects how a person forms and maintains relationships. RAD is characterized by difficulty forming secure attachments with primary caregivers, often leading to severe problems with emotional regulation, trust, and social interactions. Usually, reactive attachment disorder is diagnosed in infancy or early childhood and can last into adulthood without the proper treatment.
Symptoms of reactive attachment disorder may include:
- Difficulty expressing emotions
- Lack of eye contact
- Poor physical and emotional boundaries with others
- Avoidance of comfort or physical affection from caregivers
- Manipulative behaviors to gain attention
- Impulsivity and aggression toward others
- Difficulty managing stress or frustration
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)
Disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED) is a mental health disorder in which individuals engage in inappropriate social behaviors. DSED is usually seen in young children, although it can occur in adults. It’s important to get help for DSED as early as possible because the disorder can interfere with social relationships and lead to serious psychological problems if left untreated.
Symptoms of DSED may include:
- Lack of well-defined social boundaries
- Excessively friendly behavior toward unfamiliar adults
- Reduced inhibition when interacting with strangers
- Limited inclination to check in with caregivers
- Willingness to go along with strangers without hesitation
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)
Adjustment disorders are a type of mental health condition that can be caused by major life stressors, such as divorce or the loss of a job. When going through an adjustment period in life, people who struggle to cope with change can develop an adjustment disorder. While adjustment disorders often start as feelings of general stress and anxiety, it’s important to get help because symptoms can worsen and lead to more serious mental health problems if left untreated.
Signs and symptoms of an adjustment disorder include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Sleeping issues
- Difficulty concentrating
- Relationship problems
- Social withdrawal
- Suicidal thoughts
The Negative Effects of Chronic Stress
When people experience a long duration of high-stress environments and situations, the physical and mental effects can continually get worse. It is common for stress disorders to result in feelings of guilt and shame, as well as a sense of burnout or feeling overwhelmed with no end in sight. As a result of this, people often struggle to stay on top of their responsibilities, be it at work or in their personal lives. People may often engage in self-destructive behaviors as well, in some cases, such as binge drinking or drug abuse, in an attempt to cope with the overwhelming stress they feel.
Treatment For Trauma and Stress at Vogue Recovery Center
Understanding the roots of trauma and stress-related disorders is crucial for effective treatment. At Vogue Recovery Center, our mental health facility in Las Vegas, NV, offers compassionate, comprehensive care for individuals struggling with trauma or a stress-related disorder. Our expert staff is well educated in trauma-informed care, so they can offer you the best treatment possible.
Treatment for Trauma and Stress Disorders Near You
If you or someone you love is struggling with a trauma or stress-related disorder, reach out to us and learn how you can begin your healing journey. We understand how daunting it can be to seek help, and our easy-to-use contact form is designed to make the process as easy for you as possible. Contact us today and begin the path to a happier, healthier life!
