PTSD and Anxiety: Two Conditions, One Overlapping Experience

If you've been through a traumatic experience and find yourself constantly on edge, worrying excessively, or struggling to feel safe, you might wonder: is this PTSD, anxiety, or both? The answer, for many people, is both. Around 80% of people with PTSD also have at least one other mental health condition, and anxiety disorders are among the most common.

How PTSD and Anxiety Are Different

While they share surface-level similarities — persistent worry, physical tension, difficulty relaxing — PTSD and anxiety disorders are distinct conditions:

• PTSD is rooted in a specific traumatic event (or events). It involves flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of trauma reminders, and hypervigilance.
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) involves chronic, excessive worry that isn't tied to a single event. The worry tends to be broad — about health, finances, relationships, and everyday situations.

Where They Overlap

Both conditions can cause:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Irritability and difficulty concentrating
• Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, and stomach issues
• Avoidance behaviors
• A pervasive feeling of being unsafe

The PTSD-Specific Symptoms

What distinguishes PTSD from anxiety disorders includes:

• Flashbacks and re-experiencing: Feeling as if the trauma is happening again in the present moment
• Dissociation: Feeling detached from reality or from yourself
• Negative changes in beliefs: Persistent guilt, shame, or a distorted view of yourself and the world
• Trauma-specific triggers: Intense reactions to sights, sounds, or situations that recall the event

Complex PTSD

When trauma is prolonged or repeated — such as ongoing childhood abuse, domestic violence, or combat exposure — it may lead to complex PTSD (C-PTSD). This form includes additional difficulties with emotional regulation, self-identity, and relationships.

Treatment That Addresses Both

Because PTSD and anxiety often coexist, effective treatment needs to address both. At Next Step Psychiatry, our approach includes:

• Medication management: SSRIs, SNRIs, and other medications can reduce symptoms of both PTSD and anxiety
• Comprehensive evaluation: Accurate diagnosis is the first step — we'll determine whether you're dealing with PTSD, an anxiety disorder, or both
• Ongoing support: Regular follow-ups to track your progress and adjust treatment

PTSD and Anxiety Treatment in Lilburn, GA

Dr. Aneel Ursani and Fathima Chowdhury, PA-C, provide expert psychiatric care for PTSD, anxiety, and co-occurring conditions. We serve patients throughout Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Stone Mountain, Decatur, and the greater Atlanta area.