Have you ever been in a situation where you felt threatened and you weren’t sure if you were going to make it? Your life flashed before your eyes and the chemicals in your body were going so strong you found the strength to fight like you never have before, or you found yourself running faster than ever, or you stayed absolutely still to prevent further danger. Then finally, it was over and life was back to normal. Or so you thought. Every now and then, a memory would haunt you, a sudden noise could startle you, nightmares started to become an evening ritual, and even relationships started to feel surreal.

Once the danger is over, sometimes one is left with the psychological trauma, or what is typically called Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. It has received a great deal of attention in recent years.  This is because of the involvement of our country’s military servicemen and women in conflicts around the world and the rates of crime and violence here at home.

Personally experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event or the threat of a traumatic event that involves death or severe injury may cause PTSD. The response to this type situation may be intense fear and feelings of helplessness. Whenever confronted with death or near death, be it our own or others, the result may be life altering. Sometimes, to keep these traumatic experiences from damaging our lives, we need help understanding how to interpret, define, and cope with these experiences.

There is no one measure for a traumatic event that applies to everyone. Each of us has our own personal beliefs, values, and histories that influence what we may consider traumatic. Sometimes the memories and troublesome symptoms fade over time and sometimes they do not. Sometimes they fade but one is left with a very non-trusting attitude about life. The good news is that there are active interventions that can help you reduce the symptoms you experience. Effective therapy will also help you renew your confidence in yourself and the world around you so that life is not just an existence but one where you flourish and feel in control once again.