Trauma & PTSD

Trauma can affect the way people think, feel, respond to stress, relate to others, and experience the world around them. After a frightening, dangerous, overwhelming, or deeply distressing experience, reactions can continue long after the immediate event has ended.

Not everyone who experiences trauma develops Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). People can experience significant trauma-related symptoms without meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and responses to similar experiences can vary considerably from one person to another.

Clinically Reviewed by Dr. Angel Corbin, DBH, LPC, LAC
Last reviewed: September 2026

Trauma generally refers to the emotional and psychological response that can follow experiences involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, sexual violence, or other events that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.

People may also use the word trauma more broadly to describe deeply distressing experiences such as abuse, neglect, serious illness, sudden loss, violence, accidents, disasters, or repeated exposure to frightening circumstances.

An experience does not have to affect everyone in the same way to have a significant effect on one person.

Responses to trauma can involve emotions, thoughts, physical sensations, behaviors, and relationships.

Common trauma-related experiences can include:

• Unwanted or intrusive memories
• Nightmares or disturbing dreams
• Feeling constantly alert or on guard
• Being easily startled
• Irritability or anger
• Anxiety or panic
• Difficulty sleeping
• Problems concentrating
• Avoiding people, places, conversations, or situations associated with an experience
• Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
• Guilt or shame
• Difficulty trusting other people
• Feeling detached from friends or family
• Physical reactions when reminded of an event
• Feeling as though an experience is happening again

Some reactions begin immediately after a traumatic experience. Others may become noticeable weeks, months, or even years later.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to certain traumatic events.

PTSD involves more than simply remembering something painful. Symptoms generally fall into several groups, including intrusive memories or re-experiencing, avoidance, changes in mood or thinking, and changes in physical or emotional reactions.

Symptoms must meet specific diagnostic criteria before PTSD is diagnosed. Experiencing trauma does not automatically mean someone has PTSD, and experiencing some symptoms associated with PTSD does not necessarily mean the full disorder is present.

A qualified healthcare or mental health professional can evaluate symptoms and determine whether they are consistent with PTSD or another condition.

Trauma describes an experience and the responses that may follow it. PTSD is a specific diagnosable mental health disorder.

Many people experience temporary emotional or physical reactions following traumatic events and gradually recover without developing PTSD. Others continue experiencing symptoms that interfere with everyday life but may not meet all of the criteria for PTSD.

Still others develop PTSD and experience persistent symptoms that significantly affect relationships, work, sleep, emotional health, or daily functioning.

The distinction matters because trauma-related care should be based on the individual and their symptoms rather than assuming that everyone who has experienced trauma has the same diagnosis.

Trauma-related symptoms can follow many different experiences.

These may include:

• Physical or sexual assault
• Childhood abuse or neglect
• Domestic or relationship violence
• Military combat or other dangerous service
• Serious accidents
• Natural disasters
• Sudden or violent loss
• Serious illness or medical treatment
• Witnessing violence or serious injury
• Repeated exposure to disturbing events through certain occupations
• Other experiences involving significant danger, helplessness, or fear

Repeated or prolonged traumatic experiences can sometimes affect people differently from a single traumatic event, particularly when those experiences occur during childhood or within important relationships.

Trauma can influence everyday life even when a person is not consciously thinking about the original experience.

Someone may begin avoiding certain places or situations, become uncomfortable in crowds, have difficulty sleeping, feel unusually irritable, withdraw from relationships, or remain constantly alert for possible danger.

Trauma can also affect trust, intimacy, parenting, work, school, concentration, and the ability to feel safe or relaxed.

Sometimes people develop coping strategies that initially help them manage distress but eventually create additional problems. These can include isolation, excessive work, substance use, emotional avoidance, or avoiding situations that increasingly limit everyday life.

Several forms of psychotherapy are used to treat trauma-related symptoms and PTSD. Treatment should be individualized according to the person's experiences, symptoms, preferences, age, overall health, and treatment goals.

Trauma-focused forms of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help people examine thoughts, emotions, and behaviors connected with traumatic experiences while developing healthier ways of responding to reminders and distress.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another psychotherapy used in the treatment of trauma and PTSD. EMDR uses a structured process that includes recalling aspects of traumatic experiences while engaging in bilateral stimulation.

Exposure-based therapies may help some people gradually and safely approach memories, feelings, and situations that have been avoided because of trauma.

Other therapeutic approaches may focus on emotional regulation, relationships, coping skills, anxiety, depression, grief, or other concerns occurring alongside trauma-related symptoms.

Medication may also be appropriate for some people with PTSD or related conditions and can be discussed with a physician or other qualified prescribing healthcare professional.

Trauma-informed counseling recognizes that past experiences can influence how someone responds to stress, relationships, healthcare, authority, physical environments, and the counseling process itself.

A trauma-informed approach emphasizes emotional and physical safety, collaboration, trust, personal choice, and respect for the individual's experiences.

Being trauma-informed does not mean that every problem is assumed to result from trauma. It means that the possibility and effects of trauma are considered while treatment remains focused on the individual person's needs and goals.

Counseling may be worth considering when reactions to a traumatic experience continue causing distress or begin interfering with everyday life.

This can include persistent nightmares, intrusive memories, avoidance, anxiety, anger, emotional numbness, difficulty trusting others, problems with relationships, sleep disturbances, or feeling constantly alert for danger.

Some people seek counseling shortly after a traumatic experience. Others decide to seek help months or years later. There is no requirement that someone begin therapy within a particular period after an experience.

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, believe you may harm yourself or someone else, or are in immediate danger, seek immediate help. In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is an immediate threat to life or safety, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Etheria Counseling provides outpatient counseling for trauma, PTSD, and related concerns.

Our clinicians work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Depending on the individual clinician and client's needs, treatment may incorporate approaches such as EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, family-based approaches, and other evidence-based or trauma-informed methods.

Counseling may also address concerns that sometimes occur alongside trauma, including anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, sleep problems, emotional regulation, and major life changes.

Accepting New Clients

In-Person: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Telehealth: Throughout South Carolina
Ages: 6+
Insurance: Medicare, Medicaid, and major insurance plans
Self-Pay: Available

If trauma or PTSD is affecting your life and you would like to talk with a counselor, Etheria Counseling is accepting new clients.

Call 843-868-6200 or use our online scheduling option to get started.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — National Center for PTSD
PTSD Basics and Treatment Information

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Mental health and suicide crisis support