When PTSD Leads To Psychotic Symptoms: What Is PTSD Psychosis?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition involving symptoms like hyperarousal, flashbacks, avoidance of triggers, and adverse effects on brain function and mood. PTSD can develop in response to traumatic experiences, although not everyone who goes through trauma will develop PTSD. Although uncommon, some people with PTSD may experience psychotic symptoms like visual or auditory hallucinations and delusions related to their PTSD symptoms. This can be referred to as PTSD psychosis. Individuals with PTSD may effectively manage symptoms by working with a psychiatrist and therapist who can provide professional treatment.

PTSD psychosis may be preventable

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What is post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD?

One aspect of life that can be difficult to avoid is trauma, but many do not understand its effects on our mental health. While traumatic events can have wide-ranging levels of severity, many of us can recall an instance in life in which we were under significant distress. Sometimes, trauma like abuse, assault, and other frightening or threatening experiences can lead to the development of a mental health disorder called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, not everyone who experiences trauma may go on to develop PTSD. PTSD typically involves four clusters of symptoms, which include re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance symptoms, adverse effects on mood and brain function, and hyperarousal symptoms.

The impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on flashbacks, dissociation, and other symptoms 

Individuals with PTSD often experience flashbacks and dissociation. They might re-experience traumatic events and have a sense of disconnection from their bodies. For example, a military veteran who returns from war might sense they have plunged back into the battlefield when they hear certain sounds that trigger a PTSD episode. In some cases, these episodes may be accompanied by hallucinations, with auditory hallucinations tending to be the most common.

PTSD can significantly disrupt one’s life and wreak havoc on one’s mental health. Depending on the severity of the condition, many with PTSD experience extreme panic and anxiety in their daily lives when exposed to certain triggers associated with their traumatic experiences.

Diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using WHO and DSM-5 criteria

The World Health Organization (WHO) typically uses the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) diagnostic criteria guidelines in order to diagnose PTSD. Many clinicians also use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) for diagnosis. Criteria for PTSD diagnosis usually involve the persistent occurrence of re-experiencing traumatic events, avoidance of traumatic triggers, and a sense of being threatened.  

What is PTSD psychosis?

Understanding positive and negative psychotic symptoms

Psychosis symptoms are usually classified into two groups: positive and negative. Positive psychotic symptoms typically present in the form of unusual thoughts and behavior patterns that are added to a person’s experience. Some symptoms include hallucinations (sensory experiences of nonexistent stimuli), delusions (strongly held beliefs that aren’t grounded in reality), and disorganized thinking and speech. Negative psychotic symptoms, on the other hand, can be characterized by a lack of typical behaviors and experiences. They may include a lack of emotional expression (known as “flat affect”), difficulty speaking, lack of motivation, social withdrawal, and difficulty managing one’s daily tasks. 

How therapy can help with post-traumatic stress disorder and psychotic episodes

PTSD and PTSD psychosis are typically managed with psychotherapy and pharmacological options like medication. Many people might believe they can manage PTSD on their own, but this may not be the case and seeking help from a licensed medical or mental health professional for a diagnosis and treatment plan can be beneficial, particularly if you’ve experienced psychotic symptoms. Even if you’re not experiencing PTSD psychosis, receiving treatment for PTSD may prevent the occurrence of PTSD psychosis later on.  

Managing post-traumatic stress disorder and PTSD psychosis through psychotherapy and medication

Psychotherapy may manage symptoms and reduce the impact of PTSD on daily life. Therapy can help an individual work through the experience of a traumatic event and learn ways to neutralize triggers and cope with challenging symptoms. A combination of therapy and doctor-prescribed medication is often utilized to effectively treat PTSD and PTSD psychosis. 

The benefits of online therapy for managing post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD

One potential avenue to explore for those living with PTSD is online therapy. For those who may encounter PTSD triggers when attending therapy sessions in person, the opportunity to connect with a licensed professional from the comfort of home may be helpful. In addition, clients can choose between online chat, phone call, and video conference for each session. 

Although acute psychotic symptoms may need to be addressed in person, online therapy can be an effective form of treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. For example, a 2016 study reported that “Internet-delivered CT-PTSD (cognitive therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder) was associated with very large improvements on all outcome and process measures, with 80% of patients achieving clinically significant change and remission from PTSD.”