Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

What are Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders?

Trauma- and stressor-related disorders are a group of mental health conditions that develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic or highly stressful event. These events might include accidents, abuse, violence, natural disasters, combat, or sudden loss.

People with these disorders may feel intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Their responses can affect thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and even physical health.

Common Symptoms

While symptoms vary depending on the disorder, many share overlapping signs:

  • Re-experiencing – flashbacks, intrusive memories, or nightmares.

  • Avoidance – staying away from people, places, or situations linked to the trauma.

  • Negative mood changes – feelings of shame, guilt, fear, or numbness.

  • Hyperarousal – irritability, being easily startled, difficulty sleeping, or constant “on edge” feelings.

  • Dissociation – feeling detached from self or surroundings.

Types of Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

    • Develops after experiencing or witnessing trauma.

    • Symptoms include intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood, and hyperarousal lasting over one month.

  • Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)

    • Similar to PTSD but symptoms occur immediately after trauma and last between 3 days and 1 month.

  • Adjustment Disorders

    • Emotional or behavioral difficulties in response to a stressful life event (e.g., divorce, job loss, illness).

    • Symptoms typically appear within 3 months of the event.

  • Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) (usually in children)

    • Caused by severe neglect or lack of consistent caregiving in early life.

    • Children may struggle to form healthy attachments and show withdrawn behavior.

  • Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) (usually in children)

    • Also linked to neglect or unstable caregiving.

    • Children may show overly familiar or inappropriate social behavior with strangers.

Causes and Risk Factors

  • Traumatic experiences: violence, abuse, combat, accidents, disasters.

  • Chronic stressors: ongoing neglect, poverty, or family instability.

  • Childhood experiences: neglect, separation, or inconsistent caregiving.

  • Biological factors: differences in brain structure (e.g., amygdala, hippocampus) and stress hormones.

  • Lack of support: absence of family or social support after trauma.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves:

  • Clinical interviews to assess exposure to trauma and resulting symptoms.

  • Assessment tools such as the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS).

  • Duration, severity, and functional impact are key in distinguishing between disorders (e.g., PTSD vs Acute Stress Disorder).

Treatment Options

  • Psychotherapy (first-line treatment)

    • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) – helps reframe unhelpful thoughts and reduce fear responses.

    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – helps process traumatic memories.

    • Prolonged Exposure Therapy – involves gradually confronting trauma-related memories and situations.

    • Play therapy – often used for children with RAD or DSED.

  • Medication

    • SSRIs (antidepressants) often prescribed for PTSD.

    • Sleep aids or anti-anxiety medications may help with specific symptoms.

  • Supportive Approaches

    • Peer support groups and trauma-informed care.

    • Mindfulness, grounding exercises, and relaxation techniques.

    • Building safe, stable, and supportive environments.

Living With Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

  • Symptoms can affect relationships, work, and daily life, but recovery is possible.

  • Early treatment improves outcomes.

  • Many people find healing through therapy, supportive relationships, and self-care practices.

  • Recovery is not about forgetting trauma, but about regaining a sense of safety and control.

Supporting Someone With a Trauma-Related Disorder

  • Listen with empathy – avoid pushing them to talk about details of the trauma.

  • Be patient – healing takes time.

  • Encourage professional help – trauma-focused therapies are most effective.

  • Create a sense of safety – consistency and predictability are important.

  • Avoid minimizing – respect that even events you wouldn’t find traumatic can deeply affect someone else.

Getting Help

If you or someone you know may be struggling with trauma-related symptoms:

  • Reach out to a GP, counselor, or mental health professional.

  • Look for trauma-specialized therapists or clinics.

  • In a crisis (e.g., suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or inability to cope), call emergency services or crisis hotlines immediately.