PTSD

Sign and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder

(PTSD)

The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can arise suddenly, gradually, or come and go over

time. Sometimes symptoms appear seemingly out of the blue. At other times, they are triggered by something

that reminds you of the original traumatic event, such as a noise, an image, certain words, or a smell.

While everyone experiences PTSD differently, there are three main types of symptoms:

1. Re-experiencing the traumatic event

2. Avoiding reminders of the trauma

3. Increase anxiety and emotional arousal

Symptoms of PTSD: Re-experiencing the traumatic event

• Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event

• Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the event is happening again)

• Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening things)

• Feelings of intense distress when reminded of the trauma

• Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event (e.g. pounding heart, rapid breathing, nausea,muscle tension, sweating)

Symptoms of PTSD: Avoidance and numbing

• Avoiding activities, place, thoughts, or feelings that remind you of the trauma

• Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma

• Loss of interest in activities and life in general

• Feeling detached from others and emotionally numb

• Sense of a limited future (you don’t expect to live a normal life span, get married, have a career)

Symptoms of PTSD: increased anxiety and emotional arousal

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Irritability or outbursts of anger

• Difficulty concentrating

• Hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”)

• Feeling jumpy and easily startled