Does PTSD Ever Go Away?

Does PTSD Ever Go Away?

Living with post-traumatic stress disorder can feel overwhelming, and one of the biggest questions many people ask is, does it ever truly go away? PTSD is a complex mental health condition that develops after experiencing trauma, and while it is often linked with the armed forces, it can affect anyone. Survivors of car accidents, domestic abuse, childhood trauma, bullying, or homelessness may all find themselves struggling with its impact.

This blog will explore what PTSD is, how it can show up differently from person to person, and why recovery doesn’t look the same for everyone. We’ll cover how PTSD is diagnosed, the different paths to recovery, and the treatments that may help manage symptoms. We’ll also look at how loved ones can offer support along the way.

By the end of this article, you should have a clearer understanding of whether PTSD “goes away” and why learning to manage it with the right help and support can make a huge difference.

Understanding PTSD

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental health condition often caused by experiencing a traumatic event. While it is commonly found in returning service men and women, it is not isolated to those who have seen combat or experienced war. It can also come from being involved in a form of trauma, such as a bad car accident, being the victim of domestic abuse, severe bullying, and homelessness. A traumatic experience can be any event that causes intense fear, helplessness, or horror, and recalling these experiences is often part of the recovery process. It can even result from childhood abuse, C-PTSD or complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

PTSD can affect different people in different ways. But for most, they tend to experience severe anxiety, mood swings, depression, aggression, irritability and insomnia. The mental health condition can also result in a person becoming triggered. What this term means about PTSD is that something that seems normal to most, for example, fireworks, can trigger a very serious panic attack that may involve a flashback to the traumatic event. Hallucinations are common during these events and can be distressing for all involved – as a result, a common concern is whether PTSD ever goes away.

It is important to understand that PTSD won’t look the same for everyone. For example, as with all mental health conditions, hormones and how people are socialised as they grow up alter how post-traumatic stress disorder presents itself.

When you look at the difference between men and women who have PTSD, you will see that men often experience symptoms of anger and perhaps even violent outbursts. In contrast, women tend to struggle more with anxiety and depression symptoms.

It’s important to remember that PTSD symptoms affect people differently – it doesn’t look the same for everyone. You need to consider all the symptoms and not try to limit yourself or others because of assumptions surrounding how PTSD is presented in men and women. You may be wondering if PTSD ever fully goes away, especially if you are suffering from problems related to the mental disorder. The good news is that it is possible for symptoms to decrease significantly over time, and PTSD can be treated with the help of medical professionals.

Common Causes and Triggers of PTSD

As we touched on above, PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. These traumatic events can range from sexual assault, domestic violence, and natural disasters to serious accidents or the sudden loss of a loved one. Sometimes, PTSD can also develop after repeated exposure to distressing situations, such as ongoing abuse or violence, while in other cases, a single life-threatening incident can be the cause.

It’s important to remember that not everyone who goes through a traumatic event will develop PTSD. Each person’s response to trauma is unique, and factors such as previous mental health, support systems, and the nature of the event all play a role. Triggers for PTSD can be anything that reminds a person of the original trauma—this could be a sound, a place, a smell, or even a date on the calendar. For example, someone who has survived a natural disaster may feel intense stress during storms, while a survivor of domestic violence might be triggered by raised voices.

Understanding the causes and triggers of traumatic stress disorder PTSD is a crucial step in the recovery process. By identifying what led to the development of PTSD and what situations or reminders bring on symptoms, individuals and their loved ones can work more effectively towards healing and regaining control over their lives.

How is PTSD Diagnosed?

As with all mental health problems, a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnosis is often not quick. It often starts with a simple trip to your GP to discuss your mental health.  From there, you will be referred to a specialist who can diagnose you with PTSD and start getting the mental health treatment you need.

It may seem intimidating to talk about your trauma, but it is the only way to get help for your PTSD. So here is what you can expect from your assessment:

You will talk with a mental health expert, and they will ask you some questions about your thoughts, feelings and experiences. During this, you will likely be asked about the CAPS-5 PTSD assessment.  This is a structured assessment that contains 30 questions and helps to identify PTSD symptoms over the past week. From the questions answered a medical professional will make a current PTSD diagnosis. 30 questions may seem like a lot, but it is all in your best interest to answer them as honestly as possible.

The Varied Nature of PTSD Recovery

An important thing to remember before you start any journey involving your mental health, especially for PTSD, is that recovery isn’t a race – it is a slow walk towards a better life, and the recovery journey is something that can transform your life. Some people have an easier path to follow if they experience a less severe form of post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD recovery is all about you and what works for you.

Before you embark on your journey, we must answer a simple question. Does PTSD ever go away? The simple answer is no. It is a mental illness; like all mental illnesses, it will be a part of your life for the rest of your life. But this is not something to be disheartened by.

PTSD recovery is about learning how to manage your PTSD. So while it may still be there, its effect on your life may be incredibly limited if treatment for PTSD is successful for you. That being said, unfortunately, PTSD can’t just be managed through sheer willpower. The mental disorder requires professional treatment and the understanding that there are no shortcuts.

Many people living with PTSD will turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to self-medicate. But unfortunately, all this does is make it harder to make the necessary lifestyle changes to manage your PTSD.

It is a difficult process, and you may struggle at times; it may feel like you have failed, but that is all part of the journey towards positive mental health and PTSD recovery.

Living With PTSD

It’s estimated that there are 2.6 million adults living with PTSD in England alone, and it’s a condition that can deeply affect daily life.

Even routine activities can feel overwhelming. Many people with PTSD also experience severe anxiety, which can make it difficult to concentrate at work, maintain their relationships, or even leave the house. Sleep disturbances, such as nightmares or insomnia, are common and can leave a person feeling exhausted and irritable.

PTSD symptoms often include avoiding reminders of the traumatic event, which can mean steering clear of certain places, people, or activities. This avoidance can lead to isolation and make it harder to participate in life’s normal routines. Feelings of intense fear, depression, or emotional numbness can also make it challenging to respond effectively to everyday stressors.

It’s important to recognise that these symptoms are not a sign of weakness. They are a response to trauma. Seeking professional help and support can make a significant difference, enabling individuals to learn how to cope with their symptoms and enhance their quality of life. With the right support, it is possible to manage PTSD and regain a sense of normalcy and hope.

Does PTSD Ever Go Away?

While it is technically always still there, some people can manage their PTSD so well through a combination of medication, therapy and lifestyle changes that, in a sense, it feels as though it has gone away.

But that doesn’t mean they should stop their medication or anything else they are doing to manage their PTSD because it seems like it’s gone. It means that they have found a routine that is working for them.

What Are the Treatment Options for PTSD?

There are a few treatment options available for PTSD:

Trauma-focused CBT is a more specialised form of cognitive behavioural therapy designed to help individuals, especially children and young people, process traumatic memories and reduce distress.

Group therapy may also provide valuable support through shared experiences and help individuals connect with others facing similar challenges.

As with all mental health treatments, it all starts with talking to a professional to create a treatment plan that works for you. It takes time to find what works for you. Trust the process, and you will start to see results.

Medications may also be used to treat PTSD. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed to treat PTSD. It is important to discuss possible side effects and withdrawal symptoms with your doctor before starting medication. Some people may notice improvement in their symptoms within a few weeks of starting medication or therapy, but it may take several weeks for full benefits to be seen.

If you would prefer something a bit less formal, you do also have the option to find a local support group. There are support groups for the armed forces, domestic abuse survivors and many more. There you will be able to talk to others who really understand what you are going through, and they can help you.

Supporting Loved Ones with PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder is difficult, and it can be incredibly isolating. If you have a loved one struggling with PTSD, the best thing you can do for them is be there for them. Offer them your love and your support so that they see they are not alone.

Help to ground them so that they can focus on their mental health and their treatments for PTSD. It will be a long and difficult journey, so please try to be there with them every step of the way.