PTSD typically emerges after experiencing or witnessing a deeply distressing event, leading to a persistent and overwhelming emotional response. Individuals with PTSD may re-experience the traumatic event through intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks, causing heightened anxiety and emotional distress. Avoidance of reminders of the event, emotional numbness, and persistent negative changes in mood and cognition are common symptoms. PTSD can profoundly affect one's sense of safety and well-being, impacting relationships, work, and daily functioning.
Trauma/PTSD
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Individuals exposed to combat situations or warfare
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Experiencing or witnessing physical violence, such as assault, domestic violence, or mugging.
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Experiencing or witnessing sexual assault, rape, or childhood sexual abuse.
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Surviving or witnessing natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or wildfires.
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Being involved in or witnessing serious accidents, such as car crashes or industrial accidents.
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Traumatic experiences related to severe medical illnesses, surgeries, or medical procedures.
Some Possible Types of Traumatic Events
Symptoms
Intrusive Thoughts
Re-experiencing the trauma through distressing memories, flashbacks, nightmares, or intense emotional or physical reactions when reminded of the traumatic event.
Avoidance
Avoiding reminders of the trauma - places, people, or activities that trigger memories of the event.
Negative Changes in Thoughts and Mood
Experiencing negative thoughts about oneself or the world, feelings of detachment, emotional numbness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and difficulty experiencing positive emotions.
Arousal and Reactivity
Persistent irritability, anger outbursts, difficulty sleeping, hypervigilance, or being easily startled.
Often involve exposure to subtle, ongoing stressors or adverse experiences that might not meet the full criteria for major traumatic events but still leave a lasting detrimental effect. These experiences might include emotional neglect, chronic stress, chronic interpersonal conflicts, repeated subtle forms of discrimination, persistent microaggressions, etc. The cumulative effect of these experiences can contribute to mental health challenges and affect one’s overall well-being. These experiences may result in some of the symptoms listed above.