Recognizing the Warning Signs of PTSD

At Atlanta-based Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions, our experienced, compassionate team, led by Dr. Karen Giles and Dr. Cecilia Kwong, understands how challenging it can be to distinguish between normal stress reactions and the warning signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

We also know that when you spot the signs early, you can take the first step toward recovery or guide a loved one to the care they need.

What is PTSD, and how does it differ from typical stress responses?

It’s normal to feel intense emotions like fear, sadness, or anger after a traumatic event. These are part of your body’s natural reaction to stress, often called the “fight-or-flight” response. For most people, these feelings gradually diminish over time. However, when these symptoms don’t subside or even worsen, it may indicate PTSD.

PTSD is a psychiatric condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms persist for over a month and often cause significant distress in areas such as work, relationships, or personal well-being.

Normal reaction vs PTSD

Here are a few key differences:

Duration: Normal stress responses fade within weeks, whereas PTSD symptoms last for longer than a month
Intensity: PTSD symptoms are severe enough to interfere with daily life, unlike common stress reactions that are generally manageable
Symptom clusters: PTSD involves a combination of re-living the trauma, avoidance behaviors, mood disruptions, and heightened alertness

If these symptoms feel familiar to you or someone you know, it’s important to seek professional guidance to determine the best next steps.

Early warning signs of PTSD

PTSD can trigger various symptoms, and they differ from person to person. However, they typically fall into four categories:

Re-living the trauma (Intrusive symptoms)

These symptoms involve repeatedly experiencing elements of the traumatic event. Examples include:

Flashbacks or vivid memories where it feels as though you’re reliving the event
Nightmares related to the trauma
Severe distress when exposed to reminders, such as specific sounds, places, or smells

Avoidance behaviors

People living with PTSD often take significant steps to avoid anything that reminds them of their trauma. This may include:

Avoiding conversations about the event or refusing to acknowledge that it happened
Sidestepping places, people, or activities linked to their trauma

Heightened arousal

This refers to being constantly on edge. You may notice:

Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
Frequent feelings of anxiety or being easily startled
Irritability or frequent outbursts of anger

Negative changes in mood or thought patterns

PTSD not only affects actions; it significantly impacts your emotional and cognitive health. Warning signs include:

Persistent negative beliefs, such as “the world is completely unsafe”
Feeling detached from loved ones or losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
Chronic feelings of fear, guilt, shame, or anger

Seeing just one or two of these signs doesn't confirm PTSD, but noticing a pattern across these categories can be telling. If you’re still unsure, call us to schedule a consultation.

How Prism therapy helps those with treatment-resistant PTSD

Not everyone finds PTSD relief with traditional methods like psychotherapy or medication. That’s when Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions offers cutting-edge solutions, including Prism, an FDA-cleared approach for treatment-resistant PTSD.

What is Prism for PTSD?

Prism takes a neuroscience-based approach to PTSD. It involves non-trauma-based neurofeedback that helps you gain control over your symptoms. During a Prism session, an EEG headset measures your brain activity while you engage in a computerized simulation.

The goal is to teach your brain how to reduce hyperactivity in the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for the fight-or-flight response.

This innovative therapy is:

Noninvasive: No medication is required
Evidence-backed: Clinical trials show improvement in 67% of participants after a 15-session regimen
Targeted: It addresses the root of PTSD symptoms rather than just masking them

Patients often report significant improvements in their ability to manage stress, sleep soundly, and participate in daily life with less fear or anxiety.

Prism can also be used for high anxiety. Response rate for anxiety at Breakthru has been 100%. We tracked the progress of three patients who received Prism treatment specifically for anxiety. Each patient completed the GAD-7 questionnaire—a widely used tool to measure anxiety—before and after treatment. All three patients experienced a significant drop in anxiety symptoms after completing Prism treatment. On average, their anxiety scores dropped by 63%.

Is Prism right for you?

Our team works closely with your primary care physician or psychiatrist to identify if Prism for PTSD is appropriate for your situation. It’s an especially promising option if you’ve tried traditional methods without meaningful progress.

Curious if Prism treatments could benefit you? Call Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions in Sandy Springs or Alpharetta, Georgia, or request an appointment online, and we’ll guide you through every step of the process.