Why Do Only Some Traumas Create Ptsd?

[braggle]

@stenni its fascinating how each brain works so differently from the next persons. Maybe on a neurological level we react differently to each of our traumas so we need to address them individually instead of as a collective.

 

[jaccat]

when something would go bad and freak my friends out, I would be the one who was calm-headed in the situation, because to them it was a catastrophic event, and to me it was simply Tuesday.

This. I was in a car accident a few years ago, not a bad one but life threatening (the wing mirror ripped off and span through the car, past the driver and myself and out the window). My friend the driver panicked, freaked out, blamed herself. I was making jokes. It was a freak accident that could have killed us, but it didn't bother me one bit.

 

[RussH]

Any trauma can cause PTSD. It is not so much about what kind of trauma, but how we process it, or are unable to process it that leads to PTSD.

 

[braggle]

@RussH absolutely I think my question could have been better worded to ask why we go on/ or not to develop PTSD after another trauma. What changes in us that stops it occurring in a different but similar situation even if the way we respond is seemingly the same. I suppose the obvious answer is that we don't respond in the same way just think that we do.


@jaccat I do this sort of thing too. Its gotten me into trouble many times.

 

[GWhizz]

@braggle just wondering if your Tgave you an explanation as to why they don't see it as part of your ptsd if you yourself see it as more traumatic than a prior trauma that is considered ptsd by them? Looking at the dsm it would be something where the symptoms are still present for greater than 6months afterward so I'm a bit confused.

 

[falling_wave]

I think that for those who already have ptsd and experience another traumatic event it's that our nervous systems are already used to dealing with being on high alert and trauma. Not that this is the case in every situation but it doesn't shock us all the way from peace to terror. We are already part way there and in a sense prepared. What I've noticed having had this happen is that it does not necessarily cause as much distress as what happened the first time but over time emotional or body memories link. Sometimes when something triggers me a long while past when it happened a small memory from that experience will join in with the others. It's like it quietly all comes together even though you don't feel the effect so strong.

 

[falling_wave]

Another thought..maybe this is proof that the skills you are learning processing the first trauma are allowing you to deal with the next in a healthier manner. Just a thought.

 

[Friday]

Some of the things that happened after I already had PTSD were far more _______.

But I already had PTSD.

It's not like I could get it twice. Or 40 times. I already had it. I'll never know of it made later traumas easier or harder.... Although I do know that individual traumas made later traumas easier/harder, I don't know what role my PTSD played, or if any of the secondary or tertiary traumas would have caused PTSD. Since I already had it.

 

[braggle]

@GWhizz I actually don't have a therapist I'm with the NHS and my doctor is completely useless. Unfortunately I can't afford to see anyone privately.

Physically it was more violent and was purposely humiliating this is why I see it as a bigger trauma in terms of what was actually happening at the time. I don't see it as part of my PTSD because although I sometimes think of it I have control over when I think of it. So I have no intrusive memories, I have no flashbacks. It doesn't cause me to avoid any places or people. I don't feel like I have any lasting effects from those particular things that happened unlike other things that I've been through in my life.

 

[braggle]

@GWhizz I have just re-read my first post and I can see how what I said was confusing I meant it was more damaging in a physical way.

 

[theshadowoftheliving]

@braggle I think I did dissociate during my adult traumas, but it definitley wasn't as dramatic as when I was young. During my childhood trauma, I distinctly remember scrutinizing patterns and telling myself over and over I will not remember, I will not remember. Now, the minute I get reminded of the original trauma, I just check out. It's so automatic that it's making it near impossible to process in therapy. On the other hand, my adult traumas are clear enough that I can atleast process them and talk about them.

 

[braggle]

@falling_wave you are right, in my case at least that there was no huge leap from happy and innocent to complete terror. More of a here we go again.
I could also be in denial over the impact that its had and am ignoring the smaller effects.

@FridayJones this is a very good point that had I had different experiences I may have developed PTSD from something else. I wonder then if it serves to protect us from further trauma.