Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying, life-threatening, or deeply distressing event (combat, sexual assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, childhood abuse, etc.). Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, but here are the main signs that professionals look for:
- Re-experiencing the trauma
- Intrusive memories or flashbacks where the person feels the event is happening again
- Nightmares about the trauma
- Intense distress when reminded of the event (triggers like sounds, smells, places, or dates)
- Avoidance
- Deliberately avoiding people, places, conversations, or activities that remind them of the trauma
- Emotional numbness or trying not to think/feel anything about what happened
- Negative changes in mood and thinking
- Persistent guilt, shame, or blame (about themselves or others)
- Feeling detached from loved ones
- Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
- Ongoing negative beliefs (“The world is completely dangerous,” “I’m broken,” “I can’t trust anyone”)
- Hyperarousal and reactivity (being “on edge”)
- Irritability or angry outbursts
- Hypervigilance (constantly scanning for danger)
- Exaggerated startle response
- Trouble concentrating
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia or restless sleep)
For a formal diagnosis, these symptoms must last more than one month, cause significant distress or problems in work, relationships, or daily life, and not be due to medication, substance use, or another medical condition.
Important: You cannot reliably diagnose someone yourself. Many of these symptoms overlap with depression, anxiety, or traumatic brain injury. If you suspect a friend or loved one has PTSD, gently encourage them to speak with a mental-health professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, or trauma-trained therapist). Early treatment especially evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), or EMDR can make a huge difference.
You’re not “overreacting” by noticing these signs, and they’re not “weak” for struggling. PTSD is a normal reaction to abnormal events and it is treatable.