Quick take: PTSD is a treatable condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing trauma. First-line care is trauma-focused psychotherapy; certain medications can help, but benzodiazepines are not recommended for PTSD. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 (U.S.).

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur after life-threatening or terrifying events (e.g., assault, serious accidents, disaster, warfare, medical trauma). Core symptom clusters include intrusion (flashbacks, nightmares), avoidance, negative mood/cognition changes, and hyperarousal (irritability, startle, poor sleep) persisting >1 month and causing impairment. (National Institute of Mental Health)

• Re-living: intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks
• Avoiding reminders: people, places, conversations
• Mood/cognition: guilt, shame, hopelessness, detachment
• Arousal: hypervigilance, sleep disruption, concentration problems
• Safety red flags: thoughts of self-harm or harming others → seek urgent help (988). (National Institute of Mental Health)

Who is more likely to develop PTSD?

Risk increases with severity/proximity of trauma, previous trauma, co-occurring depression/anxiety, limited social support, and ongoing stressors. (Protective factors include strong support, early evidence-based therapy, and stability.) (National Institute of Mental Health)

How PTSD is diagnosed

A clinician uses a structured interview aligned with DSM-5 criteria and validated tools. Screening positive ≠ diagnosis; a full assessment rules out medical causes, substance effects, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and primary sleep disorders. (PTSD.gov)

What treatments actually work?

1. First-line: Trauma-focused psychotherapies

   These have the strongest evidence and guideline support:

   • Prolonged Exposure (PE)
   • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
   • Trauma-focused CBT / Cognitive Therapy
   • Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

   These therapies help you process the trauma memory, reduce avoidance, and re-learn safety. They are recommended as first-line in multiple national guidelines (VA/DoD 2023; APA). (PTSD.gov; PubMed)

   Evidence snapshot: EMDR and trauma-focused CBT consistently reduce PTSD symptoms and disability in RCTs and meta-analyses; guidelines rate them as strong recommendations. (PMC)

2. Medications

   When medications are used, guidelines highlight:

   • SSRIs with the best evidence: sertraline and paroxetine (and SNRIs such as venlafaxine have supportive data).
   • Use meds with therapy when possible; reassess benefit vs. side effects. (PTSD.gov)

   Not recommended:

   • Benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, clonazepam) are not recommended for PTSD due to lack of efficacy and risk (dependence, cognitive effects, accident risk). (PTSD.gov)
3. What about “alternative” or early treatments?
   • Early trauma responses (< 1 month) may fit acute stress reaction; treatment is supportive, watchful, and skills-based; routine benzos are discouraged.
   • Novel or adjunctive treatments should be discussed with a clinician and weighed against guideline-supported care. (PTSD.gov)

Living with PTSD: practical skills that help

• Sleep rehab: fixed wake time, light exposure mornings, limit caffeine after noon.
• Grounding & breathing: 5-4-3-2-1 grounding; paced breathing 4:6 or 4:7.
• Activity scheduling: gentle exercise, meaningful activities, social contact.
• Substance caution: alcohol/cannabis can worsen sleep/anxiety and undermine therapy.
  (Use skills alongside professional care; skills aren’t a substitute for treatment.) (National Institute of Mental Health)

When to seek urgent help

• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Uncontrolled anger, risk of harm to others
• Severe substance withdrawal or intoxication
  Call or text 988, or go to the nearest emergency department. (SAMHSA/988). (National Institute of Mental Health)

How CHARIS MIND & BODY WELLNESS can help

• Evidence-based trauma therapies (PE, CPT, EMDR) with experienced clinicians
• Medication management when appropriate (SSRIs/SNRIs)
• Coordinated care for sleep, anxiety, depression, and co-occurring conditions
• Discreet, compassionate support and a clear treatment roadmap

Next step: Book a confidential evaluation. We’ll explain options, answer questions, and build a plan that fits your life.

References & guidelines: NIMH overview; APA and VA/DoD PTSD treatment guidelines; VA National Center for PTSD medication/benzodiazepine guidance; recent EMDR evidence. (PMC; National Institute of Mental Health; American Psychological Association)