🔥 Intrusion Symptoms (Re-living the trauma)
Flashbacks (feeling like the event is happening again)
Distressing dreams or nightmares related to the trauma
Intense emotional distress when reminded of the trauma
Strong physical reactions to reminders (sweating, racing heart, shaking)
🚫 Avoidance Symptoms
Avoiding people, places, conversations, or activities that remind you of the trauma
Avoiding thoughts, feelings, or memories connected to the trauma
Numbing through substances, overwork, or distraction
⚡ Arousal & Reactivity Symptoms
Being easily startled or jumpy
Always feeling "on guard" (hypervigilance)
Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
Irritability, anger outbursts, or aggressive behavior
Difficulty concentrating
🌀 Negative Changes in Mood & Thinking
Persistent negative thoughts about yourself, others, or the world (“I’m broken,” “Nowhere is safe”)
Feeling detached or estranged from others
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Difficulty feeling positive emotions (happiness, love, trust)
Guilt, shame, or blaming yourself for what happened
📅 Duration & Impact
Symptoms usually last more than a month
They cause significant distress or problems in daily life (relationships, work, health)
👉 PTSD symptoms can be mild to severe and often get worse under stress or when triggered by reminders of trauma.