PTSD vs PTSI

Most people usually confuse post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI). However, PTSD is a mental health condition caused by experiencing a traumatic situation, while PTSI is an injury that results from experiencing traumatic events. These two may present similar symptoms and be treated using the same method, but they have different aspects you should know about.

Continue reading to learn more about PTSD vs. PTSI, including their similarities, differences, treatment, and more.

What is Trauma?

The American Psychological Association (APA) describes trauma as an emotional response to a traumatic event or experience. People who go through these events experience shock and denial immediately and end up with unpredictable flashbacks, emotions, strained relationships, and several physical symptoms such as nausea and headaches.

The long-term effects of trauma may affect a person's well-being and develop into post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).

What is PTSI?

PTSI refers to biological injury presenting similar symptoms as PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the difference between these two is the cause of these symptoms. PTSI comes from damage to a part of the nervous system, which plays a significant role in developing and maintaining PTSI.

What is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that develops from experiencing a terrifying event. Some of the terrifying events that may cause PTSD are as follows:

• Car accidents

• Natural disasters

• Witnessing terrorism

• Incarceration

Please note that PTSD is not limited to people who experience these events first-hand. They may also affect people close to those affected by these events, such as family members and close friends.

Similarities between PTSD vs PTSI

Essentially, PTSI and PTSD refer to conditions with the same symptoms. Therefore, you will expect people suffering from these conditions to showcase the following range of psychological symptoms:

Avoidance Behavior

A person suffering from PTSI and PTSD will portray the following avoidance behaviors:

• Avoiding people talking or thinking about a traumatic event

• Avoiding activities or places that remind them of traumatic events.

Intrusive Memories

People with PTSI or PTSD will portray the following symptoms of intrusive memories:

• Relieving the traumatic event, they went through again through flashbacks

• Experiencing upsetting nightmares or dreams about the traumatic event they went through

• Severe physical reaction or emotional distress to things that reminds them of the traumatic events

• Experiencing recurrent, unwanted memories of the traumatic event.

Negative Changes in Mood and Thinking

You may experience the following negative changes in mood and thinking if you're suffering from PTSI or PTSD:

• Hopelessness about your future

• Negative thoughts about yourself, people, and the world

• Difficulty creating and maintaining close relationships

• Lack of interest in activities you previously enjoyed

• Being emotionally numb

• Memory problems excluding remembering essential aspects of the traumatic event

• Feeling and staying emotionally dumb

• Inability to experience positive emotions

Change in Reaction to Physical and Emotional Situations

Some of the symptoms that indicate a change in reaction to physical and emotional situations for a person with PTSI or PTSD are as follows:

• Being easily frightened or startled

• Always staying on guard for danger

• Trouble sleeping

• Trouble concentrating

• An overwhelming feeling of shame or guilt

• Self-destruction behaviors like overspeeding and drinking too much

• Overwhelming shame or guilt

Differences between PTSD vs PTSI

PTSD is a psychiatric disorder, while PTSI is a physical injury, according to the Global PTSI Foundation. This bodily injury results from witnessing or experiencing terrifying events that affect part of the nervous system.

PTSI usually causes overstimulation, promoting anxiety, inability to self-calm, restlessness, and hyperactivity. These symptoms may appear similar to PTSD but are not considered diagnosable disorders.

Treatment for PTSI & PTSD

There are several treatment options for PTSI and PTSD available. These treatment options are as follows:

Therapy

Therapy is the most common treatment method for PTSI and PTSD. It may take different forms, including:

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) This treatment focuses on helping individuals understand and process their thoughts and emotions that result from the trauma. It aims at helping the individual learn new ways to think about their traumatic event. This will eventually help the individual reduce their emotional reactions.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET) This therapeutic approach involves gradual exposure of an individual suffering from PTSD or PTSI to memories or situations related to their trauma. It helps them process these memories more adaptively and cope with situations that remind them of the traumatic event that they went through.

Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) This treatment method focuses on developing coping skills for situations that trigger memories of traumatic events. It may involve learning relaxation techniques, including reframing negative thoughts and managing their triggers.

Trauma-Informed Care This is a PTSI or PTSD treatment method that focuses on the trauma's impact on a person and provides a supportive environment to help the affected person heal. It focuses on the individual's experiences and needs and seeks to empower them through recovery.

This approach may incorporate treatments like medication, community support, and talk therapy.

Medications

Doctors may prescribe antipsychotics, anti-anxiety medications, or antidepressants to treat PTSI or PTSD based on symptoms portrayed by an individual. Antidepressants are used to improve sleep and mood, while anti-anxiety medications are prescribed to reduce symptoms of agitation and anxiety. Antipsychotics treat more severe cases of PTSI or PTSD where the affected individual is at risk of developing psychotic symptoms.

Crisis Stabilization for PTSI and PTSD

There are three phases in PTSI and PTSD treatment; stabilization, trauma work, and integration.

In the first phase, a doctor should consider the following factors:

• Provide 24/7 monitoring and care

• Get an overview of your problems.

• Connect with the patient to work together effectively

• Conduct a medical examination; it's crucial to have a brain scan to ensure that the symptoms do not result from physical problems.

• Put together a network of helpers.

• Learn how to identify their emotions

• Learn how to deal with their flashbacks

• Improve sleep

Comprehensive Treatment Approaches

Beyond basic therapy and medication, comprehensive treatment for PTSD and PTSI often involves multiple therapeutic modalities. EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is particularly effective for processing traumatic memories and reducing their emotional impact.

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals develop healthier thought patterns and coping strategies, while group therapy provides peer support and shared experiences with others who understand trauma.

Family therapy can be crucial in healing relationships that may have been affected by trauma and PTSD symptoms. Family members can learn how to provide appropriate support and understand the impact of trauma on their loved one.

Many individuals benefit from holistic treatment approaches that address the whole person, including physical wellness, mindfulness practices, and alternative therapies that support the healing process.

Levels of Care for PTSD and PTSI Treatment

Treatment intensity should match the severity of symptoms and individual needs. Outpatient treatment allows individuals to receive therapy while maintaining their daily routines. For those needing more intensive support, intensive outpatient programs provide structured therapy sessions multiple times per week.

When symptoms are severe or safety is a concern, partial hospitalization programs offer day-long treatment with evening returns home. For acute situations requiring 24-hour care, inpatient residential treatment provides intensive, round-the-clock support.

Special Considerations

For those dealing with both trauma and substance use issues, co-occurring disorders treatment programs address both conditions simultaneously, which is essential for comprehensive recovery.

Certain populations may need specialized approaches. Veterans often benefit from treatment programs that understand military culture and combat-related trauma. First responders may need approaches that address occupational trauma while helping them continue their careers.

Finding the Right Treatment

People suffering from PTSI or PTSD should seek immediate treatment to manage and treat symptoms associated with their condition. Evidence-based treatment approaches have shown significant success in helping individuals recover from trauma and regain control of their lives.

Recovery from PTSD and PTSI is possible with appropriate treatment and support. Many individuals who receive comprehensive care go on to lead fulfilling lives while effectively managing their symptoms.

Use our comprehensive treatment directory to find qualified mental health professionals who specialize in trauma and PTSD treatment. Our directory helps you locate providers experienced in evidence-based trauma therapies and can guide you toward programs that offer the specific level of care and specialized services needed for your recovery journey from PTSD or PTSI.