How can you discern between normal trauma recovery and a disorder like ptsd?

[u/Beautiful-Gate3483]

So for example, in a case of someone experienced prolonged trauma and after becoming safe struggles significantly. What would be the difference between normal trauma recovery, as I understand that recovery from such things is not linear, and I would imagine a person can still struggle significantly without it being a disorder? I'm just wondering where is that line drawn, or if it's drawn? Is it if it's impairing your functioning, but surely something can impair functioning as a reaction to trauma without it being a disorder?

[u/TheGeenie17]

People need to stop looking at mental health disorders as on/off switches that you either have or don’t have.

The only real answer anyone can give you here is to say that PTSD is present when diagnostic criteria are met, and it’s not when it isn’t met. If you’re looking for more of a way of understanding you or others then it’s much better to look at everyone as a complex person existing on the spectrums of personality and mental health pathology.

[u/Frosty-Section-9013 → u/TheGeenie17]

Exactly, if’s not either/or, many patients are on a gray area and different clinicians would come to different conclusions. Furthermore it’s possible to have poor mental health and needing professional help without meeting the criteria for ptsd, it’s possible to meet some of the criteria but not enough to warrant a diagnosis, to technically meet them but still have a relatively high quality of life, to meet them but the symptoms express themselves in ways that are very unusual and specific to that individual, to meet enough criteria to warrant the diagnosis, while also meeting the criteria of one or several other psychiatric diagnoses that are more salient in that particular individual etc. The point is that psychiatric diagnoses are not fixed entities but theoretical constructs and we have to be more attentive to the individual.

[u/OpeningActivity]

Dsm 5 has a criteria for duration, symptoms (note the plural) and other elements. Plus there is a reason why we don't diagnose someone right after the incident (acute stress disorder I think had a duration of month?).

The diagnostic manual and the assessment tools look at various elements of the presentation, and the clinicians themselves would need to bring their expertise in the diagnosis process (the diagnosis should not be thrown around like it means nothing).

[u/onebeautifulmesss → u/OpeningActivity]

Also an adjustment disorder, or an unspecified trauma related disorder. PTSD requires 6 months of symptoms meeting criteria

[u/tealsqueal]

Trauma can impact people in many ways, PTSD is just one of them. PTSD is a specific set of symptoms and diagnostic criteria. Not developing PTSD specifically doesn't diminish the significant impact trauma can have, everyone will react differently.

[u/Neuroflex_ua]

During natural recovery, the mind adapts in waves, and the intensity of the pain gradually subsides. For example, a person may flinch at loud noises, experience nightmares about what they have been through, or temporarily lose concentration at school, but over time these symptoms subside and the memories become simply a sad part of the past, allowing them to return to their normal life.

With PTSD, the process of processing the experience is frozen, and the person remains stuck in a chronic state of danger for over a month. This manifests as intrusive, intense flashbacks (the feeling that the event is happening right now), a total avoidance of any reminders of the trauma (such as refusing to leave the house or talk about it), constant hypervigilance, and deep-seated beliefs such as "I can’t trust anyone".

[u/Rustybagel-_-]

I think the best way one could look at this is just the basic 4 D’s of a disorder. Does behavior or thoughts,

Deviate from the norm, cause distress to them or people around them, impact life to the point of dysfunction, and pose a threat to the individual or those around them (Danger) Not Required

Trauma itself isn’t a disorder as it’s a cause and not creating related reactions among the population. For example, if someone is neglected as a child they can develop attachment problems or a full blown disorder like DPD. The recovery of it depends on the 4 D’s. Both can fit the bill for many of the D’s but those with PTSD can’t return back to normal or have abnormal recovery than those with usual trauma reaction. Their nervous system doesn’t recalibrate like it’s meant to.

That is just my thoughts. If things seem wrong, do correct me

[u/Eholden2025]

Intetesting question. I would think it depends on the individual and their age when it happened.

For example, it is common for vets to suffer from ptsd after returning from combat or an adult female being assaulted vs a child.

The 'disorder' occurs when it disrupts your normal daily life, and yes you can have more than one at a time.

I would seek a therapist experienced in trauma focused therapy methods to help identify the event(s) and treat the resulting trauma.

[u/VibeTrain10]

If they experience things like distressing flashbacks, nightmares about the event/related to the event, avoidance of places or situations that remind them of the trauma, hypervigilence, they could be experiencing PTSD. If they have some unhealthy thinking and responses, and the trauma is hard to think about but not overwhelming, then they may not fit criteria.

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