Most people go through at least one frightening or overwhelming experience in their lives. For many, the mind and body gradually process the event over the following weeks. But sometimes the fear and tension do not fade. They stay lodged in the body and the mind, and they start to interfere more and more with daily life. When that happens, it may point to trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This article explains the common signs to watch for, where trauma can come from, and what the path to help looks like.
What trauma and PTSD actually mean
Trauma develops when an event overwhelms a person’s normal capacity to cope. This can follow a single shocking incident, such as a car accident, an assault, a sudden bereavement, or a medical emergency. It can also build up after prolonged or repeated exposure to stress and unsafe situations, for example domestic violence, abuse, war, or forced displacement.
Not everyone who goes through something distressing develops PTSD. When symptoms last longer than a month and clearly interfere with daily functioning, a clinician may consider a preliminary DSM-5 classification. This is always a careful and cautious process, never a definitive label assigned after a single conversation.
Common signs to recognize
PTSD and trauma can show up in several different ways. Not everyone experiences every sign, and the intensity varies from person to person.
Re-experiencing
Images, sounds, or feelings tied to the event intrude without warning, through nightmares, flashbacks, or sudden, vivid memories during the day. At times it can feel as though the event is happening all over again.
Avoidance
Places, people, conversations, or even thoughts that bring the event to mind are pushed away as much as possible. This can shrink daily life considerably, for example by avoiding certain routes, situations, or news coverage.
Hyperarousal and constant alertness
A heightened state of alertness, being easily startled, irritability, or trouble concentrating are common. The body can feel as if it is permanently on guard, even when there is no immediate danger.
Sleep problems
Difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking, or sleep that never feels restful. Sleep disturbances are among the most commonly reported complaints after trauma.
Mood and self-image
Low mood, guilt, shame, feeling disconnected from others, or a flattened, numb feeling can also be part of the picture.
Trauma in the context of migration and displacement
At Mavera GGZ, we work with people from many different backgrounds. Trauma can stem from a car accident, a workplace incident, violence, the loss of a loved one, or experiences related to war, persecution, or forced migration. None of these experiences is heavier or lighter than another, and no single group is painted with the same brush. Every client arrives with their own story and their own pace of recovery. Treatment is always tailored accordingly, with respect for the person’s individual and cultural background.
Treatment: what tends to help
There are evidence-based treatments available for PTSD and trauma. At Mavera GGZ, the main approaches used are EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Both methods help reduce the emotional charge attached to the memory of the event, so it no longer dominates everyday life. We go into more detail about how EMDR works in a separate article on our website. Depending on the situation, schema therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or pharmacotherapy may also form part of the treatment plan.
What an intake looks like
An intake at Mavera GGZ starts with a calm, unhurried conversation. The clinician asks about the current complaints, background, and what the person needs. No one is ever pushed to share details of a traumatic event before there is enough safety and readiness to do so. Based on that conversation, a treatment plan is built together with the client, at a pace that fits what they can handle.
A referral from a GP (huisarts) is required for specialist mental healthcare (GGZ) in the Netherlands. Mavera GGZ provides care in Dutch, Turkish, English, Ukrainian, Polish, Uyghur, and Arabic, with BIG-registered therapists.
When it is a crisis
If there is acute danger, suicidal thoughts with a plan, or a crisis that cannot wait, always call 112 (in the Netherlands) or go to A&E, or contact the out-of-hours GP service. Mavera GGZ provides regular specialist mental healthcare and is not set up to handle acute crisis situations.
Seeking help is not a sign of weakness
Trauma and PTSD are treatable. Seeking help early often prevents symptoms from worsening or further limiting daily life. At Mavera GGZ in Rotterdam, every treatment is tailored to the individual, with attention to safety, pacing, and language.
If you or someone close to you recognizes the signs described above, talk to your GP about a referral to Mavera GGZ. You can also reach us by phone at 010-254 38 96 or by email at info@maveraggz.nl for more information.
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