Understanding PTSD: When the Past Won’t Stay in the Past

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often misunderstood. While many associate it with soldiers returning from war, PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced trauma—whether that trauma was a life-threatening event, abuse, a car accident, medical trauma, or even prolonged emotional distress.

For those who live with PTSD, the past doesn’t stay in the past. It intrudes into daily life, often in the form of flashbacks, nightmares, or overwhelming anxiety.

What happened then still feels like it’s happening now, making it difficult to feel safe, present, and in control.

But there is hope. PTSD is not a life sentence, and with the right treatment, many people find healing, peace, and a way forward.

So, what is PTSD?

PTSD is a psychological condition that develops in response to experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Not everyone who goes through trauma develops PTSD, but for some, the nervous system gets “stuck” in survival mode, unable to properly process or store the traumatic memory.

Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD symptoms generally fall into four categories:

1. Intrusive Thoughts & Flashbacks

• Recurrent, unwanted memories of the trauma

• Nightmares

• Flashbacks (feeling as if the event is happening again)

• Intense distress when reminded of the trauma

2. Avoidance & Emotional Numbing

• Avoiding people, places, or conversations related to the trauma

• Suppressing emotions, feeling disconnected or numb

• Struggling to remember details of the event

3. Hyperarousal & Reactivity

• Feeling constantly on edge or hypervigilant

• Difficulty sleeping

• Irritability or sudden outbursts of anger

• Exaggerated startle response

4. Negative Changes in Mood & Thinking

• Persistent feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame

• Difficulty experiencing joy or feeling emotionally numb

• Loss of interest in things once enjoyed

• Feeling hopeless about the future

The Science Behind PTSD

PTSD is not just about memory—it’s about the body and brain being stuck in survival mode.

When a traumatic event happens, the brain’s amygdala (the fear centre) goes into high alert, activating the fight, flight, or freeze response. Normally, the prefrontal cortex (the rational part of the brain) helps regulate the amygdala, allowing us to process the experience and move forward.

But in PTSD, the prefrontal cortex loses control, and the amygdala remains hyperactive. This is why people with PTSD often feel trapped in the past, even when they are safe in the present.

Brain imaging studies confirm these changes. Research has shown that people with PTSD have:

• A hyperactive amygdala, making them more reactive to perceived threats.

• A weakened prefrontal cortex, reducing their ability to calm themselves down.

• A smaller hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for distinguishing between past and present (Bremner, 2006).

This explains why PTSD symptoms persist long after the trauma has ended—the brain is still processing it as if it’s happening now.

One way to understand PTSD is through the Linen Cupboard Metaphor.

Imagine your brain is a well-organised linen cupboard. When an event happens, your brain processes it, folds it neatly, and places it on the right shelf.

But trauma is different. Instead of being neatly folded and stored away, it is shoved into the cupboard in a chaotic mess—unprocessed, tangled, and overflowing.

Now, every time you walk past that cupboard, the door flies open unexpectedly, and everything spills out. The memories, emotions, and physical sensations of the trauma come flooding back—completely uninvited.

People with PTSD spend a lot of time trying to force the cupboard door shut, avoiding anything that might trigger the memories inside. But avoidance doesn’t solve the problem—it just keeps everything jammed inside, waiting for the next moment to burst out.

The goal of PTSD treatment is not to erase trauma but to help the brain process and neatly fold those memories, so they don’t overwhelm you anymore.

How is PTSD Treated?

There is no single approach to healing from PTSD, but several evidence-based treatments have been shown to help rewire the brain and process trauma safely.

1. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)

• Helps reframe negative thoughts and reduce avoidance behaviours.

• Uses exposure techniques to desensitise trauma triggers in a safe way.

• Teaches coping strategies for emotional regulation.

2. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Involves bilateral stimulation (eye movements or tapping) to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories.

• Studies show that EMDR can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms without requiring detailed retelling of the trauma (Shapiro, 2017).

3. Somatic Therapy & Body-Based Approaches

• Recognises that trauma is stored in the body, not just the mind (van der Kolk, 2014).

• Techniques like breathwork, yoga, and grounding exercises help regulate the nervous system.

• Trauma release exercises (TRE) help discharge stored tension and stress.

4. Medication for PTSD

• Antidepressants like SSRIs (e.g., sertraline, paroxetine) can help regulate mood and anxiety.

• Medication is often most effective when combined with therapy.

5. Faith, Community, and Connection

• For many, healing from trauma is not just psychological—it’s spiritual.

• Engaging in prayer, worship, and Christian community can offer a deep sense of peace and support.

• Psalm 34:18 reminds us, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Healing is not about forgetting the past—it’s about integrating it into your story in a way that no longer defines or controls you.

PTSD can make you feel trapped—but trauma does not have to define you.

With the right support, the past can become just a memory, not a daily battle. Healing takes time, but it is possible to reach a place where your trauma is part of your story, not your identity.

If you or someone you love is struggling with PTSD, know that help is available.

You are not broken. You are not beyond repair. You are worthy of healing. And step by step, you can find peace again.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is for psycho-educational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for therapy, counselling, or medical care. If you require personal mental health support, please consult a professional. In case of a crisis, contact emergency services immediately.