PTSS Vs. PTSD: Similarities, Differences, And Treatment Options
Trauma and stressor-related disorders are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), and include conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder. In some cases, the term post-traumatic stress syndrome might be used to describe the impacts of traumatic stress, although the condition is not listed in the DSM-5. Understanding the differences and similarities between these terms can be a step toward receiving support after experiencing a traumatic event.
What is PTSS?
PTSS is not an official DSM-5 diagnostic label but might be used to describe certain challenges that do not fit in another label. Symptoms of PTSS are similar to those of PTSD, including but not limited to:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Avoidance of stimuli that remind one of a traumatic event
- Fear
- Hypervigilance
- Mood swings
- Physical symptoms like headaches, shakiness, and sweating
- Changes in appetite, sleep habits, and weight
- Recurrent intrusive memories and nightmares related to a traumatic event
Traumatic events that can cause PTSS might include sexual assault, abuse, extreme stress, natural disasters, and other life-changing or life-threatening events.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness listed in the DSM-5 that appears over a month after a traumatic experience occurs. This condition may develop months or years after someone has experienced trauma or witnessed a traumatic event happening to someone else. PTSD typically causes symptoms listed in four categories, including:
- Avoidance symptoms
- Alterations in mood and cognitive function
- Arousal and reactivity symptoms
- Intrusion symptoms
Avoidance symptoms
The avoidance-related symptoms of PTSD typically involve avoiding places, people, items, topics, or situations that remind one of their trauma. An individual may also attempt to avoid memories or nightmares of the trauma, whether by avoiding sleep or distracting themselves with a busy schedule.
Negative alterations in mood and cognitive function
Negative alterations in mood and cognition might include the following symptoms:
- Memory loss
- Problems concentrating
- Diminished interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Social withdrawal
- Mood swings
- Emotional detachment
- Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
Arousal symptoms
Someone with PTSD may feel irritable and experience outbursts of anger. They may also be hypervigilant of their surroundings and experience difficulty trusting others. For example, certain noises or stimuli can trigger memories of a traumatic event or cause anxiety or panic attacks. Someone may also experience difficulty falling asleep due to a hyperactive mind or racing thoughts.
Intrusion symptoms
Intrusion symptoms of PTSD can include the following:
- Recurrent distressing memories
- Nightmares and distressing dreams
- Dissociation
- Flashbacks, which are vivid memories that might seem like reliving a traumatic situation
- Intense distress due to triggers
PTSS vs. PTSD: Similarities and differences
PTSS is not a mental illness but a term to refer to traumatic stress that occurs within 30 days after a traumatic event. PTSS can cause the same symptoms as PTSD but in a shorter time frame, and symptoms may not be as severe. Thus, there are no significant differences between the two conditions. After 30 days have passed, a mental health professional or psychiatrist might diagnose PTSD.
If symptoms subside after 30 days, an individual may not be living with a mental health disorder due to the traumatic event and may instead be having a normal reaction to traumatic stress. Some people may be at greater risk of developing PTSD than others, and each person may react differently to a traumatic event than another.
Treatment options for trauma- and stressor-related disorders
Trauma- and stressor-related conditions are often treated with a combination approach of techniques, including medication, support groups, self-care, and therapy. Each person is different, but various evidence-based treatments have been found to help individuals manage symptoms.
Medication
Medication may be prescribed to reduce the severity of certain symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and severe stress. In addition, a few medications have been approved to treat nightmares, which are a common symptom of PTSS and PTSD. Medications might be used to reduce symptoms that make it difficult to attend therapy or receive other treatments.
Consult a medical doctor before starting, changing, or stopping a medication for any condition. The information in this article is not a replacement for medical advice or diagnosis.
Support groups
PTSD can make it difficult for individuals to connect with a social community, and it might seem that others don’t understand your experience if you’ve recently gone through a traumatic event. Support groups offer a space to talk to others who have experienced trauma and may understand the symptoms of PTSD. Support groups can often be attended online or in person. Below are a few PTSD support group tools to consider:
- The Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s ADAA support group search tool
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) support group search
- After Silence, an online support group for survivors of sexual abuse or assault
- The CPTSD Foundation’s weekly online support groups
You might also consider conducting an online search to find other support groups that may be offered in your area. Some therapists may also offer therapy groups like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) groups, which offer an evidence-based and structured approach to treatment. Therapy groups are often covered by insurance or require an out-of-pocket cost, but support groups are typically free to attend and peer-led.
Therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder
Therapy is often considered one of the most effective treatments for PTSD and other mental illnesses, such as PTSS. Therapeutic modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure therapy, and eye movement reprocessing and desensitization therapy (EMDR) are often cited as the most advantageous for PTSD symptoms due to their structure.
In some cases, it may be difficult to leave home for in-person appointments with a therapist due to PTSD symptoms. If you face barriers to these types of appointments, an online platform like BetterHelp may be beneficial. Through an online therapy platform, you can attend therapy from home and choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions.
If you’re unsure about the effectiveness of this therapy format, it may be helpful to look at recent studies. In a 2020 systematic review on online treatments for PTSD, researchers found a trial that looked at an online therapy intervention involving CBT and EMDR. After treatment, 55% of individuals didn’t meet the criteria for PTSD.
Takeaway
What are the mental health symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder?
Post-traumatic stress symptoms typically fall into four categories: intrusion, avoidance, distorted thinking, and reactivity. Intrusion symptoms typically involve intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares. Avoidance symptoms most commonly include avoiding people, places, activities or objects associated with the traumatic event. Thought distortions are also common, which may lead to difficulty concentrating, mood changes, guilt, and distorted beliefs about oneself or others. Finally, reactivity symptoms refer to heightened alertness and suspicion, angry outbursts, and being easily startled.
Meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD requires that symptoms be present for more than a month. However, the way symptoms present can differ from person to person. The common symptoms of PTSD may be present, but they might vary in severity or be consciously suppressed by the person experiencing them. Evaluation by a professional is typically required to determine whether PTSD or another underlying cause is responsible for the symptoms the person is experiencing.
What are the differences between PTSS vs. PTSD?
When people experience traumatic events, their fight-or-flight system is activated in response to a severe threat. It takes time to return to baseline in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event, and symptoms like difficulty sleeping, irritability, negative emotions, nightmares, or memory problems commonly appear in both PTSS and PTSD.
The main difference between post-traumatic stress syndrome and posttraumatic stress disorder is the duration of symptoms. PTSS symptoms occur earlier following a traumatic event, often directly after the event occurs. They typically improve over time as the person adjusts to the reality of their traumatic experiences. However, if symptoms last longer than 30 days, a diagnosis of PTSD might be warranted. PTSD symptoms also tend to be more severe and might interfere with a person’s ability to complete daily tasks or engage socially with others.
How long after a traumatic event can PTSD be diagnosed?
Stress symptoms must persist at least 30 days beyond a traumatic event for a diagnosis of PTSD to be considered. However, a person might qualify for a diagnosis of acute stress disorder in the immediate days and weeks following the event. Acute stress disorder refers to the emergence of similar symptoms to PTSD shortly after a trautic event occurrs, although the symptoms are typically less severe. If you or someone you know has recently experienced a traumatic event, it will likely be helpful to reach out to seek support from a professional. Not everyone with acute stress disorder will go on to develop PTSD, but outcomes are typically best when a trauma-informed mental health professional provides early intervention.
What are the differences between PTSD and CPTSD?
There is significant debate in the trauma-informed community about the differences between post-traumatic stress disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder. CPTSD is generally considered when a person has experienced a long-term trauma, especially while young. For example, someone who experienced repeated physical and verbal abuse as a child might be a candidate for CPTSD.
In contrast, only one traumatic experience is required for a diagnosis of PTSD. However, it can often be challenging to determine which trauma survivors are experiencing “complex” trauma. For example, military veterans deployed to active war zones potentially experience a wide variety of traumatic events, but the duration and severity of those events might lead to drastically different effects from person to person. Trying to treat or prevent PTSD in populations that experience recurring traumatic events is often more involved than helping someone who has experienced one distinct traumatic event.
How does experiencing a traumatic event affect mental health?
The effects of a traumatic event affect everyone’s mental health differently. Some people may be - or appear to be - entirely unaffected, while others may develop severe reactions that could lead to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. Most people experience at least some changes in the days or weeks following a traumatic event. They might experience PTSS, a form of acute stress disorder where symptoms like negative thoughts, irritability, reduced interest in previously enjoyable activities, and unwanted memories related to the traumatic event. In many cases, PTSS symptoms reduce in severity over time, but some symptoms might persist. Trauma-related symptoms that last for more than a month following a traumatic event may meet the criteria for PTSD.
Are there different types of PTSD?
The medical community is still debating precisely how to categorize PTSD and other stress disorders. One variant, complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) has been proposed as a separate condition from PTSD. In the United States, CPTSD is still diagnosed as a subtype of PTSD, but there is a growing movement to view it as a distinct condition. In essence, CPTSD is a more severe form of PTSD stemming from long-term trauma. On the other end of the trauma spectrum, a person might be diagnosed with acute stress disorder (ASD). ASD symptoms are typically less severe than PTSD and typically resolve three or four weeks after the traumatic event.
What is the difference between PTSD and acute stress disorder?
PTSD symptoms are similar to ASD symptoms, but PTSD symptoms are typically more severe. Furthermore, to be diagnosed with PTSD, a person must experience symptoms for longer than a month, while ASD symptoms typically resolve within three or four weeks. Screening tools and professional assessment can help a person who has experienced a traumatic event find support and reduce the risk of developing PTSD.
How common is PTSS?
Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS), also known as acute stress disorder (ASD) occurs in approximately 6% to 33% of trauma survivors. However, evidence suggests that the type of traumatic experience can affect how likely a survivor is to develop ASD. For example, survivors of natural disasters tend to show lower rates of ASD than those who have survived a robbery, assault, or mass shooting.
What are the symptoms of hypervigilance?
Hypervigilance is a heightened state of alertness and increased sensitivity to potential threats. It can often appear after someone experiences a traumatic event. Common symptoms include physical effects like rapid heart rate, increased muscle tension, and fatigue. The person might also experience mental health impacts like difficulty concentrating, intrusive thoughts, and an exaggerated startle response. A person might also demonstrate heightened paranoia and suspiciousness.
Can PTSD be cured?
For some, PTSD will likely require life-long treatment to keep symptoms in check. Other people’s symptoms might resolve independently with little or no intervention. Generally, a person’s course through PTSD and the treatment that works best for them depends on individual traits and the underlying risk factors the person experiences. Most people who seek treatment for PTSD will see an improvement in their symptoms. Antidepressants or other medications are often paired with psychotherapy to help people improve their quality of life following a traumatic event. However, some other disorders and comorbid conditions, like substance abuse, can lower the chances of someone completely resolving their symptoms.
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