Trauma Disorders: Types, Symptoms, & Treatment

What Are Trauma-Related Disorders?

Trauma disorders can develop after first-person or secondary exposure to traumatic events, situations, or information. When we encounter possible threats, our bodies enter survival mode and release hormones to prepare us to fight or flee a situation. This response generally subsides after removing the danger. However, symptoms can persist depending on how someone copes with the event and how frequently they face such stressors.

Trauma can impact nearly every aspect of life, leaving individuals feeling emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually drained. Being in a constant flight-or-fight mode can lead to difficulties with concentration, problem-solving, and decision-making, as people feel stuck in a cycle of anxiety and stress. Professional help may be necessary to address the residual effects of trauma.

Types of Trauma Disorders

Several classifications of trauma disorders exist to help individuals better understand their symptoms and find support. A licensed therapist can offer a diagnosis after an assessment to explore individual history and trauma-related symptoms.

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)

Acute stress disorder (ASD) results in anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and other trauma symptoms following exposure to a traumatic event. Symptoms last between three days and one month and disrupt one or more areas of life. Many individuals experience flashbacks when reminded of the event, often resulting in intense emotional distress. Insomnia, avoidance of triggers, and dissociation are also common.

Common symptoms of acute stress disorder include:¹

• Flashbacks
• Distress triggered by reminders of the trauma
• Recurring nightmares or night terrors
• Memory loss regarding parts or all of the traumatic event
• Inability to feel positive emotions
• Feeling dazed
• Depersonalization
• Avoiding memories or reminders of the trauma
• Difficulties sleeping
• Irritability and being easily angered
• Hypervigilance
• Concentration problems
• Being easily startled
• Dissociation

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop after exposure to a traumatic event, with symptoms lasting longer than one month. While symptoms can begin immediately, some people may not experience active distress until days, weeks, or even decades after the event. Individuals often report heightened anxiety, flashbacks, and an inability to relax. These difficulties can limit functioning and leave people constantly overwhelmed and on edge.

Common symptoms of PTSD include:¹

• PTSD flashbacks
• Emotional or physical distress triggered by reminders of the trauma
• Nightmares or night terrors
• Memory loss regarding parts or all of the traumatic event
• Inability to feel positive emotions
• Avoiding memories or reminders of the trauma
• Problems getting to sleep or staying asleep
• Being unable to relax
• Concentration problems
• Assessing surroundings for possible threats
• Being easily startled
• Having ongoing negative beliefs about oneself, other people, or the world
• Persistent fear, terror, guilt, rage, shame, or other distressing emotions
• Feeling disconnected from others
• Engaging in high-risk behavior
• Hyperarousal

Secondary Trauma

Secondary trauma occurs after indirect exposure to trauma. This type of trauma disorder often affects people who witnessed, responded to, or heard about a distressful event. Symptoms frequently manifest similarly to PTSD.

Common symptoms of secondary trauma include:^2,3

• Anxiety
• Guilt
• Chronic fatigue
• Compassion fatigue
• Depression
• Numbness

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is a trauma disorder that occurs in children under five, most often due to abuse or neglect, multiple foster care placements, or institutionalization.

Common symptoms of reactive attachment disorder include:⁴

• Disturbance in social interaction
• Emotional withdrawal
• Irritability
• Sadness
• Non-organic failure to thrive
• Lack of preference for parents over others
• Failure to ask for support or help when needed
• Excessive dependency

Adjustment Disorders

Adjustment disorders are a common reaction to an acute, stressful life event. Events like work problems, losing a loved one, or a life-altering move can contribute to development. Adjustment disorders are generally temporary and usually lasts several months.

Common symptoms of an adjustment disorder include:^5,6

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Suicidal thoughts
• Depression
• Anger
• Loss of appetite
• Social withdrawal
• Headaches

Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)

Disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED) is an attachment condition that leads to difficulty forming relationships and a lack of healthy inhibition around strangers. For example, a child may follow or be overly friendly with strangers. Children who have experienced neglect, trauma, abandonment, or abuse are more likely to develop this disorder.

Common symptoms of disinhibited social engagement disorder include:⁷

• Treating strangers like close friends or family
• No fear of strangers
• Shallow relationships
• Lack of social boundaries

Unspecified Trauma & Stressor-Related Disorders

Unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorders refer to distressing mental health symptoms that do not meet the criteria for another DSM-V trauma disorder. While their experience may not warrant a diagnosis, symptoms can severely impair functioning and affect daily living.

What Causes Trauma Disorders?

Stressful life experiences, whether acute or chronic, can cause trauma disorders. Risk factors like a family history of mental illness, temperament, and comorbid mental health diagnoses can contribute to the severity of related symptoms. Everyone responds to trauma differently, meaning what causes severe reactions in one person may not affect another.

Below are possible causes of trauma-related disorders:^8,9,10

• Acute traumatic events: A single, short-term traumatic event (acute trauma) like a car accident or natural disaster, can lead to a trauma disorder.
• Witnessing violence: Witnessing violence in your neighborhood, family, or during incarceration can lead to serious mental and emotional health challenges.
• Abuse: Physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse can impact self-esteem and mental health, often leading to PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
• Bullying: Bullying is considered an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) and can lead to a trauma disorder and other symptoms, including loneliness, sadness, isolation, physical health impacts, and poor academic performance.
• History of mental health conditions: Those with a personal history of other mental health disorders have an increased risk of developing a trauma disorder.
• War: Active duty military personnel and veterans often suffer from trauma-related disorders due to the violence and stress experienced during times of war.
• Family mental health history: Having a family history of mental health disorders, like anxiety and depression, is a risk factor for developing a trauma-related disorder.

How Are Trauma Disorders Diagnosed?

After ruling out any medical reasons for the presenting symptoms through a physical exam, blood work, or other tests, a psychological evaluation with a licensed clinician will assess trauma-related symptoms. A physician will look for experiences such as re-experiencing the trauma through flashbacks or nightmares and cognitive or mood symptoms.

Treatment of Trauma-Related Disorders

Treatment of trauma disorders typically involves psychotherapy, medications, or a combination. Therapy to address trauma helps individuals process the trauma and build healthy coping skills for the future. Improving relationships and enhancing self-esteem are also common goals.

Therapy for Trauma-Related Disorders

Therapy options may vary depending on the specific trauma disorder. However, most modalities focus on symptom management, enhancing coping skills, and providing psychoeducation and access to support. The goal of treatment is to help clients stop reliving their trauma and work toward healing.

Those seeking support for trauma-related disorders would benefit from finding a therapist specializing in trauma-informed care. These providers understand the distressing nature of these disorders and can offer practical guidance on navigating post-traumatic growth. An online therapist directory allows you to sort professionals based on location, insurance, and experience.

Below are therapy options for trauma disorders:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps clients change negative, distorted beliefs that developed during and following trauma. Awareness of these thoughts allows individuals to evaluate them based on fact and replace them with accurate, more positive alternatives.
• Prolonged exposure therapy (PET): PET helps people gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations rather than continue to avoid them.¹¹
• Trauma-informed therapy: Trauma-informed therapy proceeds sensitively with a strong therapeutic alliance. The therapist is careful not to trigger or re-traumatize the client.¹²
• Brief eclectic psychotherapy (BEP): BEP was created to treat police officers with PTSD. However, professionals have since applied this approach to treat trauma disorders.¹³
• Narrative exposure therapy (NET): NET helps clients write a narrative of their traumatic experiences, integrating cognitive, affective, and sensory memories of the incident(s) to heal and promote self-respect.¹⁴
• Cognitive processing therapy (CPT): CPT aims to reduce anxiety, anger, or intrusive thoughts that occur as a result of trauma. Clients identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts, feelings, or behaviors following a traumatic experience.¹⁵

Medication for Trauma-Related Disorders

Medication can be beneficial in conjunction with psychotherapy in treating trauma disorders. A few drugs have been studied and shown effective for managing symptoms of trauma-related disorders, such as insomnia or panic attacks. For example, the treatment of PTSD often includes antidepressants. ¹⁶ Consult your doctor about the potential side effects and adverse risks of medications.

How to Cope With Trauma Disorders

Experiencing trauma can be devastating. However, building a support system, engaging in therapy, and practicing positive coping strategies to manage difficult emotions can help you better cope with the effects of trauma. Your response to a traumatic experience can ultimately help or hinder recovery, so reach out for support before symptoms worsen.

Below are seven ways to cope with trauma-related disorders:

1. Practice emotion regulation strategies: When feeling triggered by a trauma association, have a go-to emotion regulation strategy to help manage your feelings. Whether you practice mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, or progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), building a toolbox of strategies can reduce the impacts of trauma.
2. Build a support system: Reach out to your close friends, family members, or community resources to build a support system. These people can help you feel less alone on this journey.
3. Identify your triggers: Carefully observe the people, places, thoughts, or other external elements that trigger a trauma response. The more you understand your triggers, the more empowered you will feel to handle them as they arise.
4. Explore new hobbies: Trying out a new hobby can be a much-needed change of pace after experiencing trauma. Novelty offers a new chapter of life as you process your past. Stress-relieving hobbies involving exercise, group sports, and expressive hobbies like writing or painting can help you cope.
5. Join a support group: Support groups help you connect with others with similar experiences to learn coping skills and develop a sense of community.
6. Avoid drugs and alcohol: Drug and alcohol dependence is a risk for people who have experienced trauma. Avoiding substances altogether can prevent this unhealthy coping mechanism.
7. Embrace your daily routine: Routines help provide stability and security during challenges. Stick to your daily routine as much as possible, and prioritize time for self-care.

Supporting a Loved One With a Trauma Disorder

Seeing a loved one struggle with a trauma disorder can be heartbreaking. You may not know how to offer the best support as they navigate their diagnosis. However, you can start by asking them what they need from you. Some may want assistance researching therapists, groups, or other local resources. They might also ask you to go with them to therapy if they are nervous. Whatever the case, remember to remain empathetic, patient, and understanding as they cope with their trauma.

Below are ways to support a loved one with a trauma disorder:

• Express your concerns: Tell your loved one you are worried about them and want to see them find peace. Be respectful, but explain how you notice their symptoms affecting them. This objective insight may provide the push to seek support.
• Help them find resources: Your loved one may want help finding trauma-related resources, such as books, websites, podcasts, or support groups. Support them by doing your own research and sending them helpful information.
• Get involved in their treatment: If your child struggles with a trauma disorder, stay actively involved in their care. Continue encouraging them to share their thoughts and emotions with you and their therapist, and offer to attend sessions with them if they want.
• Stay patient: Healing from trauma can take time. Be patient with your loved one as they progress at their own pace.
• Validate their experience: Take their struggle seriously and validate their emotions and experiences as they process the traumas in their lives. The more validation and empathy they receive along the journey, the more likely they are to heal.
• Engage them in social activities: Help your loved one stay engaged socially. Invite them to join your book club, attend a pickleball tournament, or take a weekly hike on a local trail. Encourage them to stay active and build their social support network.
• Be a safe space for them to share: Be a safe, nonjudgmental person with whom your loved one can share their feelings and experiences. Don’t push or pry. Simply be open and available to talk whenever they feel ready.
• Educate yourself about trauma: Learning more about trauma and its impacts can equip you with plenty of empathy and understanding for your loved one.
• Separate them from their diagnosis: Don’t forget that your loved one is separate from their trauma-related diagnosis. Help them remember the activities they enjoy and the positive things in their life as they go through this difficult time.