Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event that threatens your life, safety, or the safety of others. In Grand Rapids, MI, PTSD can arise after events such as:

Serious car crashes on I-96, US-131, or local roads
Physical or sexual assault
Domestic violence
Military combat or deployment-related trauma
Workplace accidents in manufacturing or construction
Community violence or crime
Medical emergencies or sudden illness
Natural disasters (such as flooding in West Michigan or severe winter storms)

PTSD can affect anyone—children, teens, and adults—regardless of background. Understanding the symptoms and knowing where to get help in Grand Rapids is an important step toward recovery.

Normal Reactions After a Traumatic Event

In the first days and weeks after a traumatic event, many people in Grand Rapids notice:

Feeling “on edge” or constantly on guard
Being easily startled or jumpy
Trouble sleeping or frequent waking at night
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling numb, detached, or “shut down”

These reactions often alternate between:

Heightened arousal and alertness – scanning for danger, feeling unsafe, being irritable
Numbness and detachment – feeling disconnected from yourself, others, or your surroundings

Many people also experience:

Intrusive memories or images of the event
Feeling as if it could happen again at any moment
Strong emotions such as fear, sadness, guilt, shame, or anger

For most people, these reactions gradually ease over several weeks, especially with support from family, friends, and community resources. If symptoms continue or worsen after a month, it may indicate PTSD or another mental health condition.

Who Is at Higher Risk for PTSD?

Anyone can develop PTSD, but some Grand Rapids residents may be at higher risk, including people who:

Have experienced previous trauma (e.g., childhood abuse, prior assaults, combat)
Have had PTSD in the past
Felt intense helplessness, horror, or fear during the event
Experienced something they believed would “never happen” to them
Have limited social support or are socially isolated
Are dealing with ongoing stress (financial strain, housing instability, chronic illness)

Because Grand Rapids has a strong veteran and first-responder community, military personnel, veterans, police, firefighters, EMS workers, and healthcare workers may be at increased risk due to repeated exposure to traumatic events.

Core Symptoms of PTSD

A health professional may diagnose PTSD when a person has symptoms in all four of the following areas for at least one month, and these symptoms cause significant distress or problems at work, school, home, or in relationships.

1. Re-living the Traumatic Event

Unwanted and recurring memories or images
Distressing dreams or nightmares
Flashbacks—feeling as though the event is happening again
Intense emotional or physical reactions when reminded of the trauma (e.g., heart pounding, sweating, shaking, nausea)

2. Avoidance of Reminders

Avoiding thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the event
Avoiding people, places, or activities that bring back memories (e.g., avoiding certain Grand Rapids neighborhoods, avoiding driving on a particular highway)
Staying “overly busy” to avoid thinking about what happened

3. Negative Changes in Thoughts and Mood

Feeling numb, empty, or detached from others
Persistent negative beliefs such as “I’m bad,” “I can’t trust anyone,” or “The world is unsafe”
Ongoing feelings of fear, guilt, shame, anger, or hopelessness
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed (e.g., not wanting to attend local events, church, or community gatherings)
Feeling cut off from family, friends, or the Grand Rapids community

4. Being Overly Alert or “Wound Up”

Irritability, anger outbursts, or aggression
Trouble concentrating at work, school, or home
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Being easily startled
Constantly watching for danger or “on guard”

Dissociative Experiences

Some people with PTSD experience dissociation, which may feel like:

“It was as though I wasn’t even there.”
“Time was standing still.”
“I felt like I was watching things happen from above.”

These experiences can be frightening but are a known part of PTSD for some individuals.

PTSD in Children and Teenagers

Children and teens in Grand Rapids who experience trauma—such as family violence, bullying, community violence, car accidents, or sudden loss—can develop PTSD as well.

How Younger Children May Show PTSD

Younger children may not describe their feelings clearly. Instead, they may:

Re-live the trauma through repetitive play rather than talking about it
Have frightening dreams without clear content
Become clingy or fearful of separation
Lose interest in play or activities they used to enjoy
Become socially withdrawn
Have frequent or extreme temper tantrums

About one-third of children who experience a traumatic event will go on to develop PTSD.

How Teens May Show PTSD

Teenagers and young adults may experience symptoms similar to adults, plus:

Risky behavior (speeding, substance use, unsafe sex)
Defiant or aggressive behavior
Problems at school (declining grades, skipping classes)
Symptoms of anxiety, depression, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Increased alcohol or drug use

If you notice these changes in a teen in Grand Rapids, it’s important to seek professional help promptly.

Impact of PTSD on Daily Life and Relationships

PTSD can significantly affect a person’s ability to:

Work or study effectively
Maintain relationships with family and friends
Participate in community activities or faith communities
Enjoy hobbies and social outings around Grand Rapids

People with PTSD may:

Seem uninterested, distant, or emotionally “shut down”
Avoid family events or ignore offers of help
Withdraw from social gatherings, even close-knit West Michigan communities

Loved ones may feel confused, rejected, or shut out. It’s important to remember:

These behaviors are part of the condition, not a sign of lack of care or love.

Family support, understanding, and patience are crucial to recovery, but people with PTSD often don’t fully understand what is happening to them or may believe they “should just get over it.”

When to Seek Help for PTSD in Grand Rapids

After a traumatic event, many people feel better within a few weeks, especially with strong support systems. However, you should seek professional help if you:

Don’t feel any better after two weeks
Feel highly anxious, distressed, or “on edge” most of the time
Have reactions that interfere with home life, school, or work
Have severe trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares
Find it hard to perform daily tasks at home or at work
Feel emotionally numb or unable to connect with others
Stay unusually busy to avoid thinking about the event
Start taking more risks or feel you don’t care what happens to you
Use alcohol, drugs, or gambling to cope
Have thoughts of harming yourself or someone else

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger or at risk of self-harm, call 911 right away.

Getting Help for PTSD in Grand Rapids, MI

Start With a Medical or Mental Health Professional

If symptoms last more than two weeks or are very intense, it’s important to reach out for professional help. You can start by contacting:

Your primary care provider or family doctor
A mental health specialist, such as a:
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- Licensed professional counselor
- Clinical social worker

In Grand Rapids, PTSD care is available through major health systems, including:

Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) – outpatient behavioral health, hospital-based psychiatry, and integrated primary care services
Trinity Health Grand Rapids – behavioral health and counseling services
University of Michigan Health-West (Metro Health) – mental health and primary care support
Mercy Health – counseling and psychiatric care in the broader West Michigan region

You can also look for local counseling practices that specialize in trauma therapy and PTSD treatment.

Community and Public Health Resources

Local resources that can help connect you to PTSD support in Grand Rapids include:

Kent County Health Department – information on mental health resources and community programs
Network180 – Kent County’s community mental health authority, providing access to mental health, substance use, and crisis services
Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics – can offer referrals and information

For crisis support, you can contact:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – call or text 988 (24/7, free and confidential)
Local hospital emergency departments at:
- Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital
- Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
- Other area hospitals if you need urgent mental health support

Effective Treatments for PTSD

PTSD is treatable, and many people in Grand Rapids recover with the right support and care. Treatment often includes:

Psychological (Talk) Therapies

These are usually the first-line treatments and may include:

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
Prolonged exposure therapy
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

Key elements of trauma-focused treatment:

Learning about common reactions to trauma and how PTSD works
Gradually and safely confronting the traumatic memory with a trained therapist
Identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs (e.g., self-blame, “I’m weak,” “no one can be trusted”)
Developing coping skills to manage anxiety, anger, and distress
Rebuilding daily routines and returning to activities you value

These therapies can be effective even for people who have experienced long-term or repeated trauma, though treatment may take longer.

Medication

In some cases, medication can help reduce PTSD symptoms, especially when:

Depression or severe anxiety is also present
Sleep problems are significant
Talk therapy alone is not enough

Common medications include certain antidepressants prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist. Medication is often used alongside psychological therapy rather than as the only treatment.

Treatment for Children and Teenagers With PTSD

For children and teens in Grand Rapids, the recommended treatment is usually trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), which may include:

Learning about the type of trauma they experienced and common reactions
Creating a clear, age-appropriate story of what happened
Correcting unhelpful beliefs (such as self-blame or feeling permanently “damaged”)
Gradual exposure to trauma-related memories, objects, or situations in a safe, controlled way
Learning relaxation skills and ways to manage anxiety
Involving parents or caregivers so they can support the child’s recovery

Local pediatric mental health services are available through:

Corewell Health and Trinity Health pediatric behavioral health programs
Child and family counseling centers across Kent County
School-based counselors and psychologists in Grand Rapids Public Schools and surrounding districts

Language and Cultural Support

Grand Rapids is a diverse community, and PTSD information and support may be available in multiple languages commonly spoken in West Michigan, including:

Albanian
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)
Dari
Greek
Hindi
Italian
Punjabi
Swahili
Vietnamese

If English is not your first language, ask your healthcare provider or clinic about interpreter services—major health systems in Grand Rapids routinely provide professional interpreters at no cost to patients.

Supporting Someone With PTSD in Grand Rapids

If a friend or family member is struggling with PTSD:

Try to listen without judgment
Encourage them to seek professional help locally
Offer practical support (rides to appointments, help with childcare or errands)
Be patient with mood changes or withdrawal—remember these are symptoms, not personal attacks
Learn about PTSD so you can better understand what they’re going through

Support from family, friends, and the broader Grand Rapids community is an important part of recovery.

Key Points About PTSD in Grand Rapids, MI

Behaviors like withdrawal, irritability, or emotional numbness are part of PTSD, not a sign of weakness.
Many people use alcohol or drugs to cope with emotional pain, but this often worsens PTSD and delays recovery.
Symptoms right after a traumatic event are common; treatment usually begins if symptoms continue beyond two weeks or are very severe.
Getting help early—within the first days and weeks—can make a big difference. Use local Grand Rapids and Kent County resources.
Effective treatments are available, and many people recover and return to meaningful, fulfilling lives.

If you or someone you love in Grand Rapids is struggling after a traumatic event, reaching out for help is a strong and important step toward healing.

Grand Rapids Care

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)