Risk factors for developing PTSD include: PTSD may last for years, although treatment can help people to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. If a person tries to avoid thinking about the traumatic event, visiting the place where it occurred, or avoiding its triggers, it can be a sign of PTSD. Symptoms include severe anxiety, flashbacks, and persistent memories of the event.Īnother symptom of PTSD is avoidance behaviors. PTSD is distressing and interferes with a person’s daily life and relationships. PTSD develops when the symptoms of trauma persist or get worse in the weeks and months after the stressful event. Individuals may also go on to develop other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse problems. Sometimes, a person will also experience hyperarousal, or when someone feels as though they are in a constant state of alertness. Physical responsesĪlong with an emotional reaction, trauma can cause physical symptoms, such as: Flashbacks, where a person relives the traumatic event in their mind, are common, as are nightmares. They may have emotional outbursts, find it difficult to cope with how they feel, or withdraw from others. their background and approach to handling emotionsĪ person who has experienced trauma may feel:.the type and characteristics of the event or events.the presence of other mental health conditions.Many factors determine how a traumatic event affects a person, including: The symptoms of trauma range from mild to severe. With this form of trauma, a person develops trauma symptoms from close contact with someone who has experienced a traumatic event.įamily members, mental health professionals, and others who care for those who have experienced a traumatic event are at risk of vicarious trauma. Secondary trauma, or vicarious trauma, is another form of trauma. Complex trauma: This results from exposure to multiple traumatic events.Examples include cases of child abuse, bullying, or domestic violence.

Chronic trauma: This results from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful events.Acute trauma: This results from a single stressful or dangerous event.There are several types of trauma, including: If symptoms persist and do not decrease in severity, it can indicate that the trauma has developed into a mental health disorder called post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ). Trauma can have long-term effects on the person’s well-being. They may feel overwhelmed, helpless, shocked, or have difficulty processing their experiences. However, a person may experience trauma as a response to any event they find physically or emotionally threatening or harmful.Ī traumatized person can feel a range of emotions both immediately after the event and in the long term. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), trauma is “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster.”

Signs of past trauma