Highlights
  • PTSD can be divided into four phases: the impact phase, the rescue phase, the intermediate recovery phase, and the long-term reconstruction phase.
  • The impact phase encompasses initial reactions such as shock, fear, and guilt.
  • In the rescue phase, the affected individual begins to come to terms with what has happened.
  • The intermediate recovery phase is characterized by one’s adjusting to normal life again.
  • Long-term reconstruction is all about rebuilding and continuing to deal with the aftermath of the trauma.

Most of us are familiar with the term PTSD (or posttraumatic stress disorder), but our knowledge doesn’t extend much further. We know that it can involve frightening flashbacks and nightmares. We know that war veterans and assault victims are at a heightened risk of developing the illness. But many of us don’t understand how this condition unfolds and how it might affect victims over time.

Dr. Sal Raichbach, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is here to help us better understand the trajectory of PTSD. “Posttraumatic stress disorder is comprised of four phases: impact, rescue, intermediate recovery, and long-term reconstruction,” he explains. “As the individual passes through these stages, symptoms can come and go. These phases aren’t fixed though, and individuals can pass from one into the other during their recovery journey.” 

Now, keeping that in mind, let’s delve into these four phases.

1) The Impact Phase

This first phase—the impact phase—typically occurs soon after the individual has experienced or witnessed the given traumatic event. It can last as little as a few hours but may also persist for much longer, depending largely on the severity of the event. For example, someone who has lost their home in a fire may stay in the impact phase for a longer period of time, whereas an individual who witnessed a robbery may experience a shorter impact phase because they can physically escape that nightmare and return safely home.

In either and any regard, affected individuals typically experience the following…

  • Shock
  • Fear
  • Helplessness
  • Guilt
  • Anxiety
  • Hypervigilance

2) The Rescue Phase

The next phase is the rescue phase where the individual starts to come to terms with what has happened. This might involve returning to one’s home to assess damage or talking to other survivors—it’s about acknowledging what has happened in one capacity or another.

That’s not to say, however, that one fully processes the trauma in this phase—they are still dealing with the initial shock and distress. And they typically experience a range of difficult emotions as well as mental and physical effects. These effects include…

  • Denial
  • Confusion
  • Anxiety
  • Flashbacks
  • Nightmares
  • Despair
  • Hopelessness
  • Sadness
  • Anger
  • Numbness

3) The Intermediate Recovery Phase

The intermediate recovery phase is characterized by one’s adjusting and returning to “normal” life again. Once the individual has fulfilled his or her basic safety and survival needs—which is often difficult after one has experienced this high level of trauma—they can begin to cater to other needs that emerge. In addition, this stage often involves addressing new and ongoing adversities, as well as being humbled by an outpouring of love and support or disappointed by a lack thereof. It can ultimately be broken down into two sub-stages:

Altruism: The affected individual is amazed by the support and love they receive from others. So much so that they are inspired to take action and help others, too. They might also feel uncomfortable or hesitant to express any negativity because they don’t want to appear ungrateful for all that has been done for them.

Disillusionment: This substage is just the opposite of the previous. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by love and support, the individual feels disappointed by the lack of a response. On the flip side, one might experience the effects of this substage when the support seizes, and they realize they’re on their own to deal with the remainder of the mess.

The effects we talked about in the last phase also often continue on into this stage. One may experience physical symptoms such as fatigue and/or sleep disturbances, as well as stress reactions like irritability.

4) The Long-Term Reconstruction Phase

As one might assume, this phase is all about rebuilding and continuing to deal with personal post-event problems. As an individual moves into this phase, they may become concerned about their future, which can present as…

Additionally, the meaning that one assigns to the traumatic experience can have long-term effects on their mental and emotional wellbeing—which makes talking about the event and coming to terms with the trauma one has experienced extremely important.

Raichbach explains, “If an individual’s PTSD isn’t adequately treated, the symptoms can last for years after the event. If the emotions and memories of the event aren’t processed, they can have severe mental health consequences.” He goes on to say that processing the memory with help from a mental health professional is vital to long-term recovery.