Imagine trying to cross a busy road in the middle of the day. You notice the cars rushing and honking unpredictably. The need to cross the road creates a dilemma for you.
Every step feels like a burden as the fear of getting hurt keeps you frozen in place. Living with traumatic memories and signs of playing the what-if scenarios in the mind are a classic example of PTSD.
It is more than experiencing anxiety or pain; it’s a mental condition that affects your body and mind. When left untreated, PTSD can take a toll on your health, relationships, and overall quality of life.
In this blog, we will discuss what happens if PTSD is left untreated, its core symptoms, and the treatment methods.
Keep reading to find the right support and work towards living a healthy life.
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. It can be a source of facing a series of traumatic occasions.
Such events may pose a significant threat to your emotional, physical, or spiritual well-being. It is common to experience fear during or after a distressing event. Your body goes into a fight-or-flight mode in response to potential injury.
As a result, you notice an increase in alertness, heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. However, it is important to understand that PTSD doesn’t happen because you are weak or unable to cope with the situations.
It occurs when the brain and body remain stuck in a state of survival even after the threat has passed. When left untreated, the persistent alert state can interrupt your thoughts, sleep, memory, and physical functioning.
The following are the stress responses when you have PTSD untreated:
- Feeling guilt or shame.
- Depressed mood.
- Flashbacks or nightmares.
- Reluctant to visit certain places or partake in activities that cause trauma.
How PTSD Develops After Trauma?
Now that you have a basic idea about PTSD, let’s try to understand why trauma occurs in the first place. A traumatic experience occurs when an event severely threatens your sense of safety or existence.
It doesn’t have to be a single event like a car accident or a sudden illness. Rather, it can be long-term trauma like living through frequent abuse or a war. You could also develop PTSD after learning that a painful event has occurred to your loved one.
The condition becomes problematic when your body isn’t able to cope with trauma naturally. Your brain’s stress response system, including the frontal cortex and the amygdala, can become deregulated.
In some cases, the hippocampus may appear smaller, affecting how the brain processes emotions and memories.
What are the Core Symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD can occur in anyone and at any age. Its symptoms can start a month after the stressful experience. The condition can take years to manifest. Its symptoms often vary depending on how each person processes trauma.
At its core, PTSD affects the way your brain interprets danger, regulates emotions, and stores memories. The more severe it gets, the more you feel issues in professional and social spaces.
The condition has four primary symptom groups: intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative changes in thoughts or mood, and heightened reactivity.
These symptoms can interfere with your overall emotional well-being. It is important to note that trauma affects children and adults differently.
This increases the need to understand the unique signs that appear across different age groups. Recognizing these signs early can help you or a loved one find the right support.
1. Signs of PTSD in Children
Children suffering from PTSD may have difficulty expressing their feelings. They may be incapable of identifying issues caused by experiencing trauma. It is essential to understand that the signs and symptoms of PTSD in adults are completely different from those in kids. Younger children may unknowingly reenact the disturbing event repeatedly during playtime.
Some may complain of physical symptoms such as stomach aches or headaches without a medical cause. They may seem restless or fidgety, or have trouble staying organized.
Older children and teenagers may engage in risky behaviors, show signs of withdrawal, or struggle with their feelings of guilt. PTSD symptoms in children are usually confused with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
It is therefore essential to take your child to a medical practitioner for a proper diagnosis. With proper analysis, a professional can find out the core issue of PTSD in children.
2. Signs of PTSD in Adults
The signs of PTSD are more prominent in adults than in children. However, they are often overlooked as anxiety, depression, or personality changes. For some individuals, symptoms begin after a recent traumatic event.
For others, it can appear much later in life and is usually related to experiences from years ago. This is often seen in the cases of childhood PTSD in adults. In such cases, early trauma was never fully processed or understood.
Adults may have vivid nightmares, intrusive thoughts, or flashbacks that can make them relive the incident. Many start avoiding specific places, conversations, or activities that trigger those emotions.
When left undiagnosed, it can turn into something worse, especially when there are signs of childhood PTSD in adults. They may start experiencing heightened arousal, such as difficulty sleeping, irritability, or an easy startle response. Gradually, these signs interfere with daily functioning and overall well-being.
Hence, it is important to recognize the symptoms of PTSD in adults to seek appropriate support. With a systematic approach, you can address issues before they become deeply rooted.
What Happens If PTSD is Left Untreated in a Child or Adult?
Does PTSD get worse with age? You might be asking this question after learning about the symptoms of PTSD. The answer is yes, the condition worsens when left untreated.
With ignorance, the symptoms grow stronger, more disruptive, and harder to handle. What begins as anxiety or avoidance slowly turns into a mental or physical health challenge.
When PTSD goes untreated, its impact can go far beyond emotional discomfort. You may notice the signs affecting every area of your life.
Gradually, the symptoms grow stronger, more disruptive, and harder to handle. What begins as anxiety or avoidance turns into a mental or physical health challenge.
When you have untreated PTSD from childhood, it can strain professional life, relationships, and create an internal conflict. Without proper support, you may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms and struggle with mood regulation.
It is the prime reason why you must invest time in learning what PTSD is and what its symptoms are. With the right knowledge, you will be able to understand the severity of its effects.
Below are the key ways untreated PTSD affects both mental and physical health:
1. Effect of PTSD on Mental Health
Untreated PTSD can have a deep and lasting impact on mental and emotional well-being. When the brain remains in a constant state of alert, it struggles to distinguish real danger from triggers.
Common mental health effects include:
- Chronic anxiety or fear.
- Distorted beliefs.
- Self-blame.
- Emotional Numbness.
- Intrusive thoughts and flashbacks.
- Irritability, anger outbursts, or emotional shutdowns.
- Feeling detached from oneself or surroundings.
- Avoiding people, places, or situations that remind them of the trauma.
- Effects of PTSD on Physical Health
PTSD is not limited to emotional struggles. It can significantly affect the body as well. With prolonged tension, your body continuously releases stress hormones, which can weaken multiple bodily systems over time.
Here are the effects of PTSD on your health:
- Stress response can cause high blood pressure, a racing heart, sweating, trembling, and more.
- Physical pain, such as backaches, joint pain, and headaches.
- Nausea and other gastrointestinal disturbances.
- Persistent muscle tension and discomfort.
- Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and hypertension.
2. Long-Term Risks of Developing Chronic PTSD
Can PTSD ever go away? If you have prolonged or repeated trauma, it can progress into chronic PTSD. You may have a long-lasting, more severe form of the condition.
The chronic condition often requires extended treatment and proper care from a medical practitioner. It is the prime reason why you must learn in detail about how to diagnose complex PTSD and the treatment methods.
Here’s how it can affect an individual’s life –
- Trouble focusing, memory issues, burnout, or absenteeism.
- Chronic pain, heart issues, digestive disorders, and weakened immunity.
- Long-term reliance on substances to cope with emotional pain.
- Difficulty forming or maintaining meaningful relationships.
- Experiencing a dissociative subtype with symptoms of depersonalization.
- Higher risk of developing Complex PTSD.
Importance of Early Intervention
Can you have PTSD and not know it? It is a common query among people trying to identify their symptoms.
To find the right answer, you would need a proper diagnosis. Early intervention is essential in preventing PTSD from becoming a chronic or severe condition.
Addressing symptoms earlier allows you to process trauma in a safe environment. Such practices also reduce the long-term impact on mental and physical health.
The following are the benefits you can get from early intervention:
- Reducing the risk of developing chronic PTSD
- Shows a path for avoiding harmful coping mechanisms.
- Aids in enhancing emotional regulation and daily functioning.
- Effectively supports healthier relationships and work performance.
- Enhancing overall quality of life and resilience.
- Helps individuals recover more quickly and adjust to traumatic memories.
- Minimizes the long-term pressure on both individuals and healthcare systems.
How to Diagnose Someone with PTSD?
By now, you have a clear idea about the challenges you can face when you lack support. It might have brought you to question: how hard is it to diagnose PTSD?
Diagnosing this psychological issue can be challenging as its symptoms often overlap with depression, anxiety, and stress. You may consider the signs as generic or temporary.
There are times you may rely on over-the-counter medications, completely ignoring the signs. Understanding the signs early is crucial to getting the support needed for recovery.
Mental health professionals are well-equipped to distinguish these symptoms. A therapist will diagnose PTSD using structured interviews and assessment tools based on the DSM-5 criteria.
They will analyze your conditions based on the symptoms, medical history, physical exams, and collateral information. To get diagnosed with PTSD, you need to show specific symptoms over a traumatic event for a month.
It must have one avoidance symptom, one re-experiencing symptom, two reactivity symptoms, and two mood symptoms.
Recognizing the signs of PTSD early in children or adults will help them seek proper treatment from professionals. It will be the first step towards a long-term recovery journey.
How to Treat PTSD?
Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder requires a holistic approach that addresses both your physical and emotional trauma. The goal is to take control over the symptoms and teach healthier coping strategies.
Mental health professionals usually offer personalized treatment plans based on your symptoms, history, and needs. Early intervention increases the chances of recovery and helps prevent chronic complications.
If you are seeking guidance on how to treat a person with PTSD or yourself, understanding the available treatments will help you get better faster. With proper guidance and structured care, individuals can process trauma and enhance their overall quality of life.
The effective treatment options for PTSD include:
- TF-CBT – Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy aids individuals in identifying their distressing thought patterns connected to trauma. The therapist teaches them to reframe the pattern into a positive thought. By the end of the therapy, you will have learn coping and symptom management skills.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy – It is a specialized form of CBT designed for PTSD patients. CPT focuses on painful emotions such as shame and guilt. The technique helps change your contrary beliefs stemming from trauma.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy – PET involves confronting trauma-related memories or triggers in a safe environment. It helps to reduce your fear and avoidance behavior.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – It uses guided eye movements to process traumatic memories. This method helps release emotional distress.
- Somatic Awareness Practices – It focuses on internal bodily sensations, feelings, and movements. Through meditation, conscious breathing, ideokinesis, and mindful movement, you increase mind-body connection. Somatic awareness takes you on a self-healing journey.
- Narrative and Strength-Based Therapy – Encourages individuals to redefine their story with resilience and empowerment, focusing on strengths rather than only symptoms.
- Group and Family Therapy – This therapy creates a supportive environment where people with similar trauma share experiences. Family therapy also helps address the impact of PTSD on relationships.
- Medication – In certain cases, a doctor may prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. These medications help manage severe symptoms alongside therapy.
Take Charge of Your PTSD Recovery by Taking Guidance from Behavioral & Mental Health
Living with PTSD can feel overwhelming when it starts interfering with life. Ignoring the symptoms can worsen the impact over time. Understanding what happens if PTSD is left untreated can encourage you to seek professional guidance sooner rather than later.
By taking care of your mental health, you can effectively prevent long-term consequences and support recovery. It is where reaching out to a trusted therapy provider becomes essential.
At ATL Behavioral & Mental Health, we help you process trauma with evidence-based treatment. Our professional team provides personalized therapy and long-term recovery strategies.
By reaching out to us, you will have a better understanding of how trauma influences depression and PTSD.
Book an appointment today to receive compassionate, person-centered care!
FAQs
1. Can PTSD go away on its own without treatment?
PTSD usually improves over time with proper support or treatment. The first step to betterment is understanding how to diagnose PTSD and its symptoms.
2. How long can PTSD last if untreated?
Untreated Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can last for many years. In some cases, it can turn into a lifelong chronic condition. Some people may recover on their own within a few months. If symptoms persist beyond one month, it is important to seek professional help.
3. Can untreated PTSD change your personality?
Yes, untreated PTSD can change your personality, leading to enduring maladaptive behaviors. The condition alters your brain function responsible for emotion, fear, and decision-making.
4. Is untreated PTSD dangerous?
Yes, untreated PTSD is quite dangerous. It increases the risks of depression, substance use, and self-harm. You may also suffer from chronic physical health issues.
5. Can untreated PTSD turn into complex PTSD (C-PTSD)?
No, untreated PTSD does not typically turn into complex PTSD (C-PTSD), as they are different conditions. It develops from prolonged or repeated trauma.
6. How to Support Someone with PTSD?
You can support someone with PTSD by being patient, understanding their concerns, and offering gentle encouragement. Learning how many symptoms to diagnose PTSD can also help find the right treatment methods for the loved one.
7. Why do some people avoid treatment for PTSD?
People avoid treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to psychological, social, and practical reasons. Their avoidance symptoms primarily drive such behavior. In the moment, it provides them short-term relief but prevents long-term recovery.
8. Can untreated PTSD worsen over time?
Yes, untreated PTSD can worsen over time. It leads to more intense symptoms and higher emotional distress. You have a risk of getting major health problems and becoming addicted to substances.
