Wondering if your lingering stress, anxiety, or flashbacks could be signs of PTSD? Our brief online self-assessment can help you uncover whether you’re facing the lasting effects of trauma.
Take the PTSD Quiz
At Wood Dragon Inn, a peaceful retreat in the San Jacinto Mountains, we specialize in helping individuals like you understand and overcome trauma. Our holistic, nature-inspired therapies combined with evidence-based treatments create a unique pathway to healing. Discover if professional support could make a difference in your life.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that arises when the mind and body struggle to process an intensely traumatic event or series of events. Unlike typical stress responses, PTSD is characterized by lingering effects that can disrupt one’s daily life, relationships, and sense of stability. These traumatic experiences might involve direct harm, witnessing harm to others, or experiencing a sudden loss or shock. Often, the mind remains in a heightened state of alert long after the danger has passed, making it challenging to return to a sense of safety and trust in the world.
PTSD doesn’t discriminate—it can affect anyone regardless of age, background, or life experience. For some, it develops immediately after trauma, while for others, it may emerge months or even years later. The effects of PTSD often ripple outward, impacting not just the person affected but their loved ones, work, and daily interactions. Understanding PTSD is a crucial first step toward managing it, and support is available.
Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD symptoms often vary in severity and can differ from person to person. They typically fall into four categories: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Here’s a closer look at each:
- Intrusive memories: These include recurrent, distressing memories of the traumatic event, flashbacks, nightmares, or severe emotional distress when reminded of the trauma.
- Avoidance: This may involve avoiding places, activities, or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event. Some individuals also avoid thinking or talking about the event altogether.
- Adverse changes in mood and thinking: Symptoms can include feelings of hopelessness, memory issues (particularly around the traumatic event), detachment from family or friends, and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. Feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame are also common.
- Changes in physical and emotional reactions: Individuals may become easily startled, constantly on edge, or struggle with self-destructive behaviors. Insomnia, irritability, aggression, and difficulty concentrating are also indicators.
Understanding these symptoms is the first step toward healing. At Wood Dragon Inn, we believe in empowering our clients with knowledge and support to embark on self-discovery and healing.
You Deserve To Find Healing
If you’re ready to take the next step toward understanding and healing from trauma, the compassionate team at Wood Dragon Inn is here for you. Our serene, nature-inspired trauma retreat & treatment center in the San Jacinto Mountains offers a safe space to reconnect, rebuild, and find relief from the weight of trauma.
Contact us today to learn more about our holistic approach to mental health treatment and begin your journey to a healthier, more peaceful life.
Call: (951) 410-8459 | Verify Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
How is PTSD Diagnosed?
PTSD diagnosis involves a mental health professional who will evaluate both your symptoms and history of trauma exposure.
Diagnosis typically includes an in-depth interview in which the professional asks about specific symptoms, their frequency, and how they affect daily life. They use the criteria in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to determine whether you meet the diagnostic requirements for PTSD.
What Evaluations Are Used to Diagnose PTSD?
To identify PTSD, clinicians may utilize standardized assessments, such as the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5).Â
These tools allow mental health providers to gauge both the presence and intensity of symptoms, providing insight into how trauma affects mental health, emotional well-being, and daily functioning.
Can PTSD Be Self-Diagnosed?
While online assessments and quizzes can highlight possible symptoms, self-diagnosis is not a replacement for a professional evaluation. Only licensed mental health professionals can accurately diagnose PTSD.
If you’re noticing signs that align with PTSD and are looking for intensive support healing from a traumatic event, contact Wood Dragon Inn today at (951) 410-8459.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of PTSD?
Common symptoms of PTSD include reliving the traumatic event through flashbacks, experiencing avoidance behaviors, shifts in mood, emotional detachment, and physical reactions such as difficulty sleeping or irritability.Â
Recognizing these signs can help you decide whether to seek further support or professional assessment.
Who May Be at Higher Risk of Developing PTSD?
Certain groups are at higher risk for PTSD, including military personnel, first responders, people who have survived abuse, and those who’ve experienced life-threatening situations.
Genetics, access to social support, and personal coping mechanisms also contribute to an individual’s likelihood of developing PTSD.
Are There Different Types of PTSD?
Yes, PTSD can present in different forms. Acute Stress Disorder, which appears shortly after trauma and may evolve into PTSD, is one example. Complex PTSD, or C-PTSD, often develops from prolonged exposure to trauma, such as ongoing abuse.Â
Each type of PTSD may require different therapeutic approaches to address the specific challenges associated with these experiences.
What Treatments Are Available for PTSD?
Treatment for PTSD includes various trauma-focused therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).Â
Medications, mindfulness techniques, and holistic approaches like yoga or acupuncture may also provide benefits. Often, a combination of therapies is most effective, tailored to the individual’s unique needs.
What Are the Key Symptoms of PTSD?
Key symptoms include intense memories or flashbacks of the trauma, avoidance of reminders, negative mood changes, emotional detachment, heightened anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
Becoming aware of your symptoms and their severity is an essential piece of the decision on whether to seek professional mental health support.
How Can Undiagnosed PTSD Present Itself?
Undiagnosed PTSD can manifest as mood swings, feelings of isolation, relationship difficulties, chronic anxiety, or physical complaints without apparent cause.
These symptoms may persist and worsen if left unaddressed, affecting one’s ability to engage in daily activities or find a sense of calm.
Is It PTSD or Just a Reaction to Trauma?
Many people experience stress or discomfort following trauma. However, if symptoms persist, escalate, or significantly disrupt life, it may indicate PTSD rather than a temporary stress reaction. Whether through one-on-one support or a structured residential treatment program, consulting with a mental health professional can clarify this and help determine the best steps forward.
Regardless of your diagnosis, if you’re experiencing symptoms that are interfering with your day-to-day life, you deserve to feel better. Contact Wood Dragon Inn today at (951) 410-8459 to learn more about our programs and how we can help you on the road to healing.
What’s the Best Way to Manage a PTSD Episode?
During a PTSD episode, grounding exercises, deep breathing, and mindfulness can help lessen the intensity.
Seeking professional mental health support can provide additional tools and strategies for managing episodes effectively and fostering resilience over time.
References
Bisson, J. I., Cosgrove, S., Lewis, C., & Robert, N. P. (2015). Post-traumatic stress disorder. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 351, h6161. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h6161
National Center for PTSD. (n.d.). PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/adult-sr/ptsd-checklist.asp
National Center for PTSD. (n.d.). Understanding PTSD treatment. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/tx_basics.asp
American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM–5). Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm
Giourou, E., Skokou, M., Andrew, S. P., Alexopoulou, K., Gourzis, P., & Jelastopulu, E. (2018). Complex posttraumatic stress disorder: The need to consolidate a distinct clinical syndrome or to reevaluate features of psychiatric disorders following interpersonal trauma?. World journal of psychiatry, 8(1), 12–19. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v8.i1.12
