Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While symptoms vary from person to person, mental health professionals organize them into five key categories (based on DSM-5 criteria):
- Intrusion symptoms Repeated, unwanted memories of the trauma invade daily life. This includes flashbacks (feeling as if the event is happening again), nightmares, or intense emotional/physical reactions to reminders (triggers) such as sounds, smells, or situations that resemble the original trauma.
- Avoidance People actively avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma. This may mean staying away from certain places, people, activities, or conversations. Some also try to suppress thoughts or feelings about the event, often leading to emotional numbness.
- Negative changes in mood and thinking Persistent negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world (“I’m broken,” “No one can be trusted”) are common. Feelings of guilt, shame, or blame are frequent. Many experience detachment from loved ones, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and an inability to feel positive emotions.
- Hyperarousal and reactivity The body remains on high alert. This shows up as irritability, angry outbursts, reckless behavior, being easily startled, hypervigilance (constantly scanning for danger), difficulty concentrating, and problems sleeping (insomnia or restless sleep).
- Duration and impact (technically a diagnostic requirement, not a separate symptom cluster) Symptoms must last more than one month and cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of life.
PTSD symptoms can start within three months of the trauma, but sometimes appear years later. If you or someone you know experiences several of these symptoms for more than a month and they interfere with daily functioning, seeking help from a mental health professional is strongly recommended. Effective treatments like trauma-focused therapy (CBT, EMDR) and medication are available.