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Understanding how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) differ can help you or your loved one access the right level of care at the right time.
At Beach House Center for Recovery, we believe that early recognition and compassionate care are critical to recovery and healing.
We also respectfully recognize the unique challenges that service members and veterans face. Our Freedom First program is specially designed to support active and retired military veterans who are experiencing PTSD or PTSS. This care is tailored to your unique experiences and needs.
Below, we explain what PTSD and PTSS mean, how they present and why treatment paths are different.
PTSS, also known as acute stress disorder, is an early response to trauma that can appear within 30 days of a traumatic event. If these initial symptoms persist beyond one month and begin to interfere with daily life, you may be diagnosed with PTSD.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a trauma- or stressor-related mental health disorder that develops after exposure to a traumatic event. It is characterized by four main criteria:
Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) is not a formal DSM-5 diagnosis. However, it is used clinically to describe early post-traumatic stress reactions. PTSS symptoms are milder, transient, and often resolve on their own.
Early recognition and intervention of PTSS symptoms can make a significant difference in recovery and long-term healing.
Confusing PTSS and PTSD risks delaying care. Recognizing PTSS symptoms early helps those in need receive:
At Beach House Center for Recovery, we meet you where you are, so you can begin your healing journey based on your unique symptoms and recovery goals.
| Factor | PTSS | PTSD |
| Timing | Symptoms appear within 30 days of traumatic event | Symptoms persist beyond 30 days |
| Diagnosis | Not a DSM-5 diagnosis | Clinical DSM-5 diagnosis |
| Severity | Mild, transient | More severe, chronic |
| Risk | May resolve on its own | Requires mental health treatment |
PTSD symptoms include intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood, hyperarousal, and functional impairment.
PTSS symptoms are less disruptive and often shorter-lived. They typically include anxiety, sleep disturbances, emotional numbing and mild hyperarousal.
How is PTSD diagnosed? PTSD is diagnosed through the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), the diagnostic standard for office-based PTSD assessment. Individuals must also complete a 20-item PTSD Checklist of DSM-5 (PCL-5). Together, these assessment tools can diagnose PTSD and its severity.
How is PTSS diagnosed? PTSS is monitored rather than formally diagnosed. At Beach House Center for Recovery, our licensed clinicians use early screening tools, like the Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome 14-Question Inventory (PTSS-14), to track symptoms and prevent progression to PTSD.
Even mild irritability or anxiety can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming. Recognizing the early signs of PTSS can help you get the timely support you need:
Early signs of PTSD include:
PTSD often arises from intense, life-threatening, or prolonged traumatic events. Moreover, combat-related trauma can significantly increase the risk of PTSD, which is why our Freedom First program offers evidence-based care specifically for veterans.
Trauma types that can lead to PTSD include:
It is important to remember that trauma looks different for everyone, everyone reacts to trauma differently, and the experience is deeply personal. However, the severity, frequency and perceived threat of that trauma contribute to the risk of developing PTSD.
PTSS can occur following events that may not meet formal trauma criteria. These can include:
PTSS symptoms are often milder and may be shorter-lived, but it is still important to seek early treatment to prevent escalation and long-term trauma-response symptoms.
| Factor | PTSS and PTSD in Adults | PTSS and PTSD in Children |
| Symptoms | Intrusive memories, avoidance, emotional numbing, irritability, hypervigilance | Repetitive play, clinginess, regression, mood swings |
| Emotional response | Guilt, shame, fear of ‘abnormal’ reactions | Anxiety, irritability, confusion, difficulty expressing emotions verbally |
| Behavioral response | Difficulty at work, school, or in relationships and increased risk of substance misuse | Changes in routines, school performance issues, social withdrawal, sleep or appetite changes |
| Cognitive changes | Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, negative thought patterns | Difficulty learning, attention issues, imaginative re-enactments of trauma |
| Treatment | Trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), group therapy and family support | Caregiver guidance, consistent routines, safe environment, gradual exposure to talking about the traumatic experience |
The key differences between PTSS and PTSD are symptom timing and intensity. PTSS is assessed during the first 30 days post-trauma, PTSD assessments evaluate persistent, severe symptoms and their impact on daily life.
Both require careful and highly personalized attention to ensure treatment aligns with the patient’s unique symptoms and healing needs.
At Beach House Center for Recovery, we offer several specialized therapies to address the symptoms of PTSD. They include:
Veterans may benefit from our Freedom First program, which integrates these therapies into a military-informed framework to address both PTSD and PTSS.
If you’re ready to begin your healing journey, contact our admissions specialists to learn how our treatment programs can help you heal from PTSD or PTSS and begin your path toward lasting healing.
Coping with PTSS can feel overwhelming. Here are a few evidence-based strategies that can help:
Every little bit helps toward stabilizing your symptoms and empowering ongoing recovery.
Living with PTSS or PTSD can impact every part of your life, from sleep and memory disturbances to personal and professional relationships.
For veterans, reintegration into civilian life or maintaining daily routines can be particularly challenging. Our Freedom First program provides the structured support you need to ease the transition.
At Beach House Center for Recovery, we teach safe and effective coping strategies that help you overcome symptoms, so you can rebuild routines in confidence and hope.
Your recovery will thrive with the right clinical and family support. Our trauma-informed therapies can help you and your loved ones feel supported every step of the way. If you need immediate crisis support, you can reach out to these resources anytime:
Long-term recovery involves ongoing therapy, consistent self-care, resilience-building, engagement in meaningful activities, and planning for life after treatment. Our campus-based therapy center and personalized treatment programs provide the environment and structure you need to build growth and stability.
Yes. Early medical intervention and consistent monitoring can reduce the risk of PTSS progressing into PTSD.
PTSS symptoms can appear within days to several weeks of the traumatic event.
Yes. Once diagnosed with PTSD or PTSS, children should receive therapy that has been adapted to their developmental level. This therapy is often conducted with side-by-side support from trusted family members.
When symptoms arise, several strategies can help you cope with PTSS symptoms at home. They include:
Therapy is an essential tool for PTSD and PTSS recovery because it provides a safe, guided, and structured environment to process trauma and manage symptoms. Evidence-based therapy programs can help you develop effective coping mechanisms to alter the flow of negative thought patterns and regain control of your life.
Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
