Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) does not have “100% symptoms” that every person experiences exactly the same way. The diagnosis is based on criteria in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), and symptoms must cause significant distress or impairment for at least one month.
The four core symptom clusters of PTSD are:
- Intrusion symptoms (at least 1 required)
- Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive memories
- Traumatic nightmares
- Flashbacks (feeling like the trauma is happening again)
- Intense emotional or physical reactions to reminders (triggers)
- Avoidance (at least 1 required)
- Avoiding thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the trauma
- Avoiding people, places, activities, or objects that trigger memories
- Negative changes in cognition and mood (at least 2 required)
- Inability to remember important parts of the trauma (dissociative amnesia)
- Persistent negative beliefs about oneself or the world (“I’m broken,” “The world is completely dangerous”)
- Blaming oneself or others excessively
- Persistent negative emotions (fear, horror, anger, guilt, shame)
- Markedly diminished interest in activities
- Feeling detached or estranged from others
- Inability to experience positive emotions
- Hyperarousal and reactivity (at least 2 required)
- Irritable behavior or angry outbursts
- Reckless or self-destructive behavior
- Hypervigilance (constantly scanning for danger)
- Exaggerated startle response
- Problems with concentration
- Sleep disturbance (trouble falling or staying asleep)
Additional criteria: symptoms must start or worsen after the trauma, last >1 month, and not be due to substance use or another medical condition.
While no single symptom is present in 100% of cases, the most commonly reported (80–95% of people with PTSD) are intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance, hypervigilance, and sleep problems.
If you recognize several of these symptoms lasting longer than a month and interfering with daily life, consult a mental health professional for proper assessment and evidence-based treatment (e.g., trauma-focused therapy or medication).
Keywords used naturally: PTSD symptoms, signs of PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, DSM-5 PTSD criteria, PTSD nightmares, hypervigilance, trauma flashbacks, PTSD diagnosis.