Individuals who have been involved in or have witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, serious accident, or violent assault will undoubtedly experience some uncomfortable emotions in the aftermath. Experiencing fear during a traumatic situation is natural. Fear triggers the body’s natural “fight-or-flight” instinct, which helps it either steer clear of or defend itself from danger. However, when those feelings fail to go away after a while and seem to grow into more severe symptoms, that person may be diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
People who have been diagnosed with PTSD experience stress and fear even when they are not in danger. Individuals who have not been through a dangerous event, but have been in a situation such as the unexpected death of a loved one, can also develop PTSD. Feelings such as shock, anger, fear, and nervousness are common reactions that people typically experience and will typically go away over time. For individuals with PTSD, symptoms will worsen and prevent them from functioning normally in everyday life.
Symptoms of PTSD usually begin within three months of the traumatic event. It is possible for symptoms to develop years later, however. The severity and duration of the disorder vary for each person. While some people may recover within six months, others have symptoms for much longer. This is when the condition becomes chronic.
PTSD symptoms fall into four main categories that can range in intensity.
