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PTSD can develop after a single event, or after a series of experiences that felt frightening, overwhelming, or out of your control. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD.
PTSD often involves a sense that your body and mind are still responding as if the danger is happening now, even when you are safe in the present.
How PTSD can show up
People with PTSD may experience:
Re-experiencing, such as flashbacks, nightmares, or vivid memories that feel intrusive
Avoidance, such as keeping away from reminders, places, people, or conversations that bring back the feelings
Feeling constantly on alert, such as being jumpy, easily startled, or finding it hard to relax
Changes in mood and thinking, such as feeling disconnected, numb, guilty, ashamed, or constantly blaming yourself
Some people also notice gaps in memory, feeling detached from their surroundings, or feeling like they are watching life from a distance which can be frightening or unsettling
Triggers and why symptoms can feel confusing
PTSD symptoms are often triggered by reminders that do not look “obvious” from the outside. A smell, a sound, a look, a tone of voice, or a situation that feels similar in some way.
You might know logically that you are safe, but your nervous system reacts as if you are not Which can feel overwhelming and distressing
When to seek support
If these experiences are affecting your sleep, relationships, work, or sense of safety, support can help. You do not have to wait until things feel really bad. Getting the right help can reduce the intensity of symptoms and help you feel more in control.