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Signs & Symptoms of Traumatic Stress

Traumatic stress, more commonly known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is a form of emotional illness that typically develops as an effect of a life-threatening, highly frightening or unsafe experience. PTSD can develop in several ways, and symptoms can manifest within hours or days after the incident. For some people, though, the symptoms arise gradually and can come and go over time, and they can take weeks, months and even years to develop.

  1. Re-Experiencing The Event

    • According to HelpGuide.org, someone who suffers from PTSD tends to re-experience the traumatic incident in some way and will avoid people, places or objects that trigger memories of the incident. Re-experiencing the incident can manifest in several ways. HelpGuide reports that these symptoms include upsetting and intrusive memories of the event; flashbacks, as if the person believes the event is taking place again; frequent nightmares about the event or other "horrifying" things; feelings of distress that arise when reminded of the trauma; and/or strong physical responses to reminders of the traumatic event (rapid breathing, pounding of the heart, sweating, nausea).

    Avoidance and Emotional Numbing

    • HelpGuide.org states that a person with PTSD might try to avoid anything that is associated with the event. Such people generally will become sensitive to normal, everyday experiences. A numbing effect also can occur a person's typical response to his surroundings is deadened. These symptoms include avoiding feelings, thoughts, places, people and activities that remind the person of the traumatic event; an inability to recall another aspects of the event; loss of interest in people, activities and life; detachment from others (the person becomes emotionally numb); and/or a sense of a future that is limited (the person won't expect to regain a normal life).

    Increased Arousal

    • Symptoms of increased arousal also can result from traumatic stress and are somewhat similar to the symptoms of panic or anxiety attacks. Increased arousal symptoms include difficulty in sleeping, outbursts of anger or a general feeling of irritability, difficulty in concentrating, hypervigilance and/or being jumpy and getting startled easily.

    Other Symptoms

    • Other general symptoms of traumatic stress include anger, shame, guilt, depression, suicidal thoughts, feelings of betrayal, and headaches and chest pains.

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