PTSD and Anxiety: Understanding the Connection

At Next Step Psychiatry in Lilburn, we frequently see patients struggling with both PTSD and anxiety. About 80% of people with PTSD have another mental health condition—and anxiety disorders are among the most common.

Are They the Same Thing?

No. PTSD is a specific response to trauma, while anxiety disorders can develop without a traumatic trigger. However, they share overlapping symptoms like hypervigilance, avoidance, and physical anxiety symptoms.

Key Differences

• PTSD requires a traumatic event and involves flashbacks, nightmares, and trauma-specific avoidance
• Generalized anxiety involves excessive worry about various life concerns without a specific trauma trigger
• PTSD symptoms often relate directly to trauma; anxiety can be free-floating

Can You Have Both?

Absolutely. Having PTSD increases vulnerability to other anxiety disorders, and vice versa. Proper diagnosis is essential because treatment approaches may differ.

Treatment Considerations

Both conditions respond to SSRIs and certain types of therapy. However:

• PTSD often benefits from trauma-specific therapies like EMDR or trauma-focused CBT
• Standard exposure therapy for anxiety may need modification for trauma survivors
• Treatment should address both conditions for best outcomes