Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops in some people following exposure to a traumatic event — an experience involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence, whether directly experienced, witnessed, or learned of in relation to someone close.
Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. Whether it develops depends on multiple factors: the nature and duration of the trauma, prior vulnerabilities, the availability of support in the aftermath, and individual biological and psychological characteristics. PTSD is not a sign of weakness — it is a clinical condition with identifiable neurobiology and effective treatments.
PTSD is characterised by four symptom clusters persisting for more than one month following the traumatic event:
Re-experiencing — intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, and intense distress when exposed to reminders of the trauma.
Avoidance — persistent effort to avoid thoughts, feelings, people, places, or activities associated with the traumatic experience.
Negative alterations in cognition and mood — persistent negative beliefs about oneself or the world, distorted self-blame, emotional numbness, detachment from others, inability to experience positive emotions.
Hyperarousal and reactivity — irritability, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, concentration difficulties, and sleep disturbance.
Complex PTSD arises from prolonged or repeated traumatic exposure — childhood abuse, domestic violence, captivity, or prolonged conflict. In addition to core PTSD symptoms, it involves significant disturbances in emotional regulation, persistent shame or worthlessness, and difficulties in relationships.
PTSD frequently co-occurs with depression, anxiety disorders, and panic attacks — which is why comprehensive psychiatric assessment is essential.
Diagnosis begins with a thorough clinical interview examining the traumatic history, symptom profile and timeline, degree of functional impairment, and presence of co-occurring conditions. The assessment considers differential diagnosis — distinguishing PTSD from acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder, depression, and other conditions presenting with overlapping features.
Physical and neurological assessment is included where clinically indicated, particularly where somatic symptoms are prominent or traumatic brain injury may be a contributing factor.
Diagnosis is confirmed collegially before a treatment plan is developed.
PTSD has a robust evidence base for treatment, and the right therapeutic approach can produce substantial clinical improvement even in longstanding or complex cases.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the most evidence-supported treatments for PTSD available at IsraClinic. EMDR targets the processing of traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity and allowing integration. It is effective across a wide range of trauma types and presentations.
Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) addresses the distorted cognitions, avoidance behaviours, and emotional processing difficulties that maintain PTSD symptoms — conducted directly in Russian, English, or Hebrew.
Schema Therapy is particularly well-suited for complex PTSD, where early trauma has shaped deep patterns of self-perception and relating to others.
Art therapy offers a non-verbal pathway to trauma processing, available as a complementary modality within the treatment plan.
Where pharmacotherapy is indicated — for sleep disturbance, hyperarousal, or co-occurring depression — medication is selected individually based on the patient's full clinical profile. Digital prescriptions are issued through the Yarpa system.
All treatment follows the Psychoergonomic Method — ensuring the therapeutic approach is built around this specific patient's trauma history, presentation, and goals.
If intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance, or persistent changes in mood and reactivity are interfering with your life — particularly following a traumatic experience — a psychiatric assessment is appropriate. PTSD is a clinical condition, not a character failing, and it responds to treatment.
IsraClinic accepts patients for in-person consultation in Tel Aviv and online, in Russian, English, and Hebrew. No referral is required.
Clinical Reviewer: Dr. Mark Zevin, MD — Senior Psychiatrist, IsraClinic | Last reviewed: 2026
Trauma leaves a mark — but it does not have to define how you live. If you would like to speak with a specialist, our team is available in Russian, English, and Hebrew.
📞 +972 3 375 13 70 💬 WhatsApp ✉️ info@psy.clinic