17 Symptoms of PTSD That Make Trauma a Serious Challenge

Sometimes the past won’t stay in the past…especially when it involves trauma.

Feeling afraid after experiencing a traumatic event is normal ­– fear is part of our natural “fight or flight” response to danger. But when those feelings persist long after the traumatic event, they can turn into post-traumatic stress disorder, better known as PTSD.

This anxiety disorder has many distinct symptoms that can all but take over a person’s life, forcing them to relive and experience the feelings of trauma throughout their life. However, there’s hope: PTSD is treatable with the right help.

Whether you or a loved one are experiencing PTSD, understanding its risk factors and symptoms could help you seek out help when you need it most.

What Are the 17 Symptoms of PTSD?

There are many symptoms of PTSD, and not everybody experiences all of them. Like other mental disorders, the symptoms of PTSD can be highly personal, reflecting the intensely personal effects of trauma.

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of PTSD are divided up into four distinct groups:

• Intrusive memories

• Avoidance behaviors

• Negative changes in thinking and mood

• Physical and emotional reactions

Symptoms of PTSD: Intrusive Memories

Some symptoms of PTSD force you to relieve your trauma through intrusive memories, nightmares, and more.

• Intrusive Thoughts: Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, vivid memories of the traumatic event that can pop into your mind without warning. These thoughts may feel overwhelming and distressing, making it difficult to focus on daily activities. People experiencing PTSD often find themselves reliving the event through these intrusive thoughts, feeling as though the trauma is happening all over again. This can lead to intense emotions such as fear, anxiety, and sadness.

• Flashbacks: When someone experiences a flashback, it can feel as though they are right back in that moment, experiencing fear, anxiety, and helplessness all over again. Flashbacks can be triggered by various things, such as certain sounds, smells, or even specific locations that remind the person of the traumatic event. These intense recollections can be overwhelming and may cause physical reactions like sweating, shaking, or increased heart rate.

• Nightmares: Nightmares, which are intense and distressing dreams that occur during sleep, are a common experience for many people. However, for individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), nightmares can be particularly overwhelming and frightening. People with PTSD often experience recurrent nightmares related to the traumatic event they have experienced, causing them to feel intense fear, anxiety, and distress upon waking up. These nightmares can be so vivid and realistic that individuals may have difficulty distinguishing between dream and reality, leading to heightened feelings of terror and helplessness.

Symptoms of PTSD: Avoidance Behaviors

Symptoms of PTSD are upsetting to live with, which is why many people struggling with PTSD go out of their way to avoid anything that reminds them of their trauma. While understandable, these avoidance symptoms can be extremely disruptive to live with.

• Avoiding Reminders of Trauma: People dealing with PTSD often experience intense feelings of fear, anxiety, and distress when faced with triggers that remind them of a traumatic event they have experienced in the past. These triggers can vary from person to person and may include specific places, objects, sounds, smells, or even certain people associated with the traumatic event. This avoidance can manifest in different ways, such as avoiding crowded places, isolating themselves from social interactions, or even changing their daily routines to steer clear of anything that might remind them of the trauma. While avoidance may provide temporary relief, it can also reinforce feelings of fear and anxiety in the long run.

• Avoiding Speaking or Thinking About Trauma: Trauma causes intense emotions such as fear, anger, or sadness, especially when someone who survives trauma is reminded of the event. These overwhelming feelings can make it difficult for the person to talk about what happened or even think about it without feeling distressed. Avoiding conversations or situations that trigger these memories is a common coping mechanism for individuals with PTSD. This avoidance can lead to social isolation as the person withdraws from friends and family who may unknowingly bring up distressing topics.

Symptoms of PTSD: Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood

The symptoms of PTSD can change the way a person thinks about themselves and the world around them. It can also cause difficulties with mood, such as depression and anxiety.

• Feelings of Hopelessness: Symptoms of PTSD can make a person feel hopeless about their future. It’s also common to feel that no place is safe, including their home.

• Negative Thoughts: Trauma often makes people question their self-worth. It’s also common to feel intensely negative thoughts about others and the world in general.

• Memory Problems: People with PTSD may find it hard to remember specific details about the traumatic event because their brain is trying to protect them from reliving the experience. This difficulty in remembering can manifest as memory gaps or flashbacks that are triggered by certain sights, sounds or smells that remind the person of the trauma.

• Difficulty Concentrating: In addition to memory issues, individuals with PTSD may also struggle with concentration and focus. This is because their mind is preoccupied with processing the intense emotions and memories associated with the traumatic event. As a result, they may have trouble staying present in conversations or completing tasks that require sustained attention.

• Sleep Issues: Furthermore, PTSD symptoms can impact a person's sleep patterns. Many individuals with PTSD experience nightmares or night terrors related to the traumatic event, which can disrupt their sleep and lead to feelings of exhaustion and irritability during the day. Sleep disturbances can exacerbate other symptoms of PTSD, creating a cycle of distress and fatigue.

• Relationship Problems: People with PTSD may find it challenging to build and sustain close relationships due to the emotional and psychological impact of their past experiences. This difficulty stems from various symptoms of PTSD, such as hypervigilance, avoidance behavior, and emotional numbing.

Symptoms of PTSD: Physical and Emotional Reactions

PTSD can also affect the way a person physically and emotionally reacts to certain situations:

• Feeling Emotionally Numb: Emotional numbing is another aspect of PTSD that can interfere with forming close relationships. People with PTSD may struggle to express their emotions or may feel emotionally disconnected from those around them. This emotional detachment can create barriers to communication and intimacy, preventing the development of meaningful connections with others.

• Hyperarousal: People with hyperarousal symptoms may feel constantly on edge, like they are in danger even when they are safe. This can lead to difficulty concentrating on tasks or sleeping well at night. Their bodies may also react strongly to sudden noises or movements, causing them to feel jumpy and easily startled. In addition, individuals with hyperarousal may have a heightened sense of irritability and anger, leading to frequent outbursts or conflicts with others. These symptoms can be exhausting and overwhelming, impacting their daily lives and relationships.

• Feelings of Guilt and Shame: Experiencing a traumatic event can have a lasting impact on our mental and emotional well-being. When someone goes through a distressing experience, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or physical assault, it can leave them feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable. These feelings can sometimes manifest as guilt and shame, making the individual blame themselves for what happened. They may question their actions leading up to the event or feel responsible for not preventing it. This self-blame can be incredibly damaging and may prevent the person from seeking help or talking about their feelings.

• Substance Abuse: Substance abuse, which involves using drugs or alcohol in harmful ways, is one way that some people try to cope with the difficult feelings and memories associated with PTSD. When someone experiences a traumatic event, their brain and body can be deeply affected, leading to overwhelming emotions and stress. In an attempt to numb these painful sensations, individuals may turn to substances that provide temporary relief or distraction. However, relying on drugs or alcohol can lead to a cycle of dependence and addiction, making it even harder to address the underlying issues of PTSD.

• Risky Behaviors: Risk-taking behaviors, such as reckless driving, gambling, or participating in dangerous activities, can also be linked to PTSD. People struggling with this condition may engage in these activities as a way to feel a sense of control or excitement in their lives. However, these behaviors can pose serious risks to their safety and well-being. For example, someone who is constantly seeking thrills through risky behavior may put themselves in harm's way without fully considering the consequences.

• Anger and Aggression: People with PTSD often display angry and aggressive behaviors. Brought on by the other symptoms of PTSD, these symptoms can be frightening for others to experience.

What Is PSTD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be thought of as the aftermath of experiencing something traumatic – a car accident, combat, assault, or natural disaster - that left someone shaken to their core. However, instead of healing correctly after this event, their mind replays it repeatedly, causing extreme emotional and mental distress.

How Common Is PTSD?

Unfortunately, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is far more widespread than you think. According to various studies, an estimated 6% of adults will experience some form of post-traumatic stress at some point - which equates to millions of individuals dealing with the aftereffects of trauma.

What Causes PTSD?

The causes and risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) vary as widely as its beneficiaries. Trauma is undoubtedly one of these ingredients, but other contributors include the intensity of trauma experienced, past experiences, or simply how our brains react to stress.

Are There Risk Factors for PTSD?

Certain risk factors can increase the chances of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These can include not having access to adequate support systems, experiencing multiple traumatic events at once, experiencing mental health problems in the past, and having been exposed to some trauma themselves.

It's important to remember that anyone, regardless of age, gender, background, or life experience, could experience trauma-induced PTSD; trauma doesn't discriminate and touches lives across the board.

Is PTSD Curable?

PTSD is a complex mental health condition that can be challenging to treat. While it is not necessarily curable in the traditional sense, it is possible for individuals with PTSD to experience significant improvement in their symptoms and quality of life through various treatment options. These can include therapy, medication, support groups, and self-care strategies.

It's important for individuals with PTSD to work closely with mental health professionals to find the right combination of treatments that work best for them. With proper care and support, many individuals with PTSD can learn to manage their symptoms effectively and lead fulfilling lives.

How Is PTSD Treated?

PTSD is typically treated through a combination of therapy, medication, and support from loved ones.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used to help individuals process traumatic events and develop coping strategies.

EMDR Therapy

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is another therapy technique that can be effective in treating PTSD.

Medications

Medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs may also be prescribed to help manage symptoms.

Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-informed care is a type of treatment that focuses on understanding how past traumatic experiences can impact a person's mental health. When someone has PTSD, which stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, they may experience a range of symptoms that can be very distressing. These symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.

Trauma-informed care involves healthcare providers and therapists being sensitive to the fact that the individual has experienced trauma and taking steps to create a safe and supportive environment for them. This type of care can help individuals with PTSD feel more comfortable opening up about their experiences and seeking help.

By addressing the root causes of their symptoms and providing appropriate support, trauma-informed care can play a crucial role in the recovery process for those with PTSD. It emphasizes the importance of building trust between the patient and healthcare provider, as well as empowering the individual to take an active role in their healing journey.

A Support Network

It is important for individuals with PTSD to have a strong support system in place, whether through friends, family, or support groups.

Overall, a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses both the emotional and physical aspects of PTSD is typically most effective.

Can Hyperarousal Be Controlled?

Hyperarousal is one of the best-known symptoms of PTSD. It’s also one of the most disruptive; living a life constantly on guard against perceived threats is exhausting.

Controlling hyperarousal can be challenging, but it's doable. Here are a few strategies that may assist:

• Deep Breathing and Relaxation Techniques: Learning deep breathing techniques is one way to calm the nervous system. Take some time each day to focus on your breath and release any tension or stress.

• Regular Physical Activity: Physical activity can help channel excess energy associated with hyperarousal. Jogging, yoga, or just taking a stroll in the park are all great forms of exercise to try if they work for you.

• Mindfulness and Meditation: Learning to be present in each moment through mindfulness can gradually help alleviate hyperarousal symptoms. Acknowledging feelings without judgment is what mindfulness aims for.

• Therapy and Counseling: Consulting with a mental health professional may provide practical strategies to manage hyperarousal and its impact on your life.

Living with hyperarousal is physically and emotionally draining; it's like fighting an invisible enemy within yourself and requires incredible courage to overcome. But you are not alone if this struggle has become part of your everyday routine; with support and coping mechanisms in place, moments of calm can come more frequently throughout your journey - that journey matters, because so do you.

Recovery From PTSD

Recovery from the impacts of PTSD starts by acknowledging you don't have to carry its weight alone. Here's how you can take that crucial first step toward taking back control:

• Professional Help: Seek the advice of a mental health care provider with expertise in trauma and PTSD therapy to equip yourself with coping mechanisms and strategies to navigate everyday life more successfully.

• Establish Your Support Network: Reach out to family and friends willing to walk alongside you through this journey; sharing struggles can lighten the burden.

• Inform Yourself: Take time to understand PTSD, its symptoms, and how it impacts daily life. Becoming familiar with the beast is the first step toward controlling it.

• Prioritize Self-Care: Put yourself first in caregiving - including regular physical exercise, healthy diet choices, and enjoyable activities. Self-compassion should play an integral part in the healing process.

Reclaim Your Life From the Symptoms of PTSD Today

Living with the symptoms of PTSD is exhausting. Feeling alone, misunderstood, and like you’re always on the verge of attack isn’t living – it’s surviving.

You’re not alone. You’re a survivor. With a little extra help, you’ll be able to manage your symptoms of PTSD and live a life that’s worth living.

Guided by a trauma-informed approach, The Forge Recovery Center offers healing, support, and help. Our personalized approach to PTSD treatment acknowledges the individual nature of each journey toward recovery. With experienced professionals, innovative therapeutic strategies, and a warm environment, we're committed to supporting your path toward living a fulfilling life.

We know asking for help isn’t easy. But if you take this first brave step, we’ll help you the rest of the way. Reach out to us today to learn more.

Written by

Brian Moore

Content Writer

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

February 11, 2025