Traumatic Disorders
Experiencing traumatic events can cause mental health conditions such as acute stress disorder, attachment disorders, and PTSD.
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What Are Traumatic Disorders?
Traumatic disorders (also known as Trauma-and Stressor-Related Disorders) are mental health conditions caused by traumatic events in a person’s life. Stressors that can cause traumatic disorders include abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, natural disasters, and more.
Unlike other types of mental health conditions, traumatic disorders have a clear cause. These disorders can cause symptoms that are like those associated with other conditions, such as anxiety disorders or depression. A mental health care provider can help you get an accurate diagnosis, so you can get the appropriate treatment.
People respond to trauma in a variety of ways. Because of this, there are many types of traumatic disorders that can arise from trauma, depending on the type of stressors, symptoms, and more.
We treat traumatic disorders, including:
- Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
- Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Acute Stress Disorder
- Adjustment Disorders
- Disorder Resulting from Childhood Trauma
Lifestance Health specializes in Traumatic Disorders treatment with multiple locations in 33 states. Services and available treatments vary by location.
Find a provider near you:
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Arizona -
California
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Colorado
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Delaware
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Florida
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Georgia
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Illinois
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Indiana
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Kansas
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Kentucky
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Maine
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Maryland
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Massachusetts
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Michigan
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Minnesota
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Missouri
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Nevada
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New Hampshire
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New Jersey
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New York
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North Carolina
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Ohio
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Oklahoma
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Oregon
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Pennsylvania
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Rhode Island
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South Carolina
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Tennessee
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Texas
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Utah
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Virginia
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Washington
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Wisconsin
Citations:
Alexandra Kredlow, M., Fenster, R.J., Laurent, E.S. et al. Prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and threat processing: implications for PTSD. Neuropsychopharmacol. 47, 247–259 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-021-01155-7
PTSD: National Center for PTSD. (2023). How Common Is PTSD in Adults? How Common is PTSD in Adults? – PTSD: National Center for PTSD (va.gov)
VAN DER KOLK, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.
VAN DER KOLK, B.A. (2006), Clinical Implications of Neuroscience Research in PTSD. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1071: 277-293. https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1364.022
Traumatic Disorders FAQ
Traumatic disorders are mental health conditions caused by traumatic events in a person’s life. Unlike other types of mental health conditions, traumatic disorders have a clear cause.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the most common trauma disorder. According to the National center for PTSD, about 5 out of every 100 adults (or 5%) in the U.S. have PTSD. The other common trauma disorders are Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD).
Stressors that can cause traumatic disorders include abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, natural disasters, and more. These disorders can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with other conditions, such as anxiety disorders or depression.
Studies have shown that trauma impacts the brain’s amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex—which all play a part in regulating emotions. This can lead to changes in someone’s thinking, behavior, and actions.
Research shows that the hippocampus can shrink as much as eight percent after trauma, causing memory loss, forgetfulness, brain fog, flashbacks, and a disjointed perception of the past.
Trauma-informed care (TIC) recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma has played in someone’s life, helping mental health professionals to focus on the trauma instead of the resulting behavior.
Talk to someone who can help. LifeStance is your resource for finding the right mental health professionals to help you manage traumatic disorders and other related mental health issues.
