After trauma, some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition that can involve intrusive nightmares, flashbacks, and physical reactions when reminded of the traumatic event, such as a racing heart or difficulty breathing.
Some people with PTSD also develop profoundly negative beliefs about themselves—intense shame, guilt, and even feeling responsible for what happened.
For example, someone who experienced a violent assault may believe they somehow deserved to be attacked. Such beliefs can cause significant distress and drive persistent PTSD symptoms.
There are multiple evidence-based forms of cognitive therapy, also called "talk therapy," that can effectively treat PTSD by helping to reframe these negative self-beliefs.
However, some people don't respond to these kinds of therapy much—or at all.
