Going through something really scary or upsetting can make you feel a lot of tough things. You might keep thinking about what happened, have trouble sleeping, or feel jumpy a lot of the time. It's normal for these feelings to start to get better in a few weeks or months. But sometimes, they don't get better, and a person might get something called post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD for short. PTSD is when you keep having scary thoughts and nightmares about what happened, try really hard not to think about it, and start feeling really bad about yourself or the world. You might also get easily upset, be super alert all the time, or have a hard time focusing or sleeping. If these feelings keep going on and make it hard for you to do everyday things, it's really important to talk to a doctor or a therapist who can help you start feeling better. It's normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after a traumatic event (also called "trauma"). At first, it may be hard to do daily activities you are used to doing, like going to work, going to school, or spending time with people you care about. But most people start to feel better after a few weeks or months. For some people, post-traumatic stress (PTSD) symptoms may start later, or they may come and go over time. If it's been longer than a few months and thoughts and feelings from the trauma are upsetting you or causing problems in your life, you may have PTSD.1 PTSD Symptoms Spontaneous or cued recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic events (Note: In children repetitive play may occur in which themes or aspects of the traumatic events are expressed.) Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content or affect (i.e. feeling) of the dream is related to the events (Note: In children there may be frightening dreams without recognizable content.) Flashbacks or other dissociative reactions in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic events are recurring (Note: In children trauma-specific reenactment may occur in play.) Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic events Physiological reactions to reminders of the traumatic events Persistent avoidance of distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic events or of external reminders (i.e., people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) Inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic events (not due to head injury, alcohol, or drugs) Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world (e.g., “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted,” "The world is completely dangerous"). Persistent, distorted blame of self or others about the cause or consequences of the traumatic events Persistent fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others Persistent inability to experience positive emotions Anhedonia can be a symptom in PTSD, where individuals may lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed. Additional symptoms: Irritable or aggressive behavior Reckless or self-destructive behavior Hypervigilance Exaggerated startle response Problems with concentration Difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless sleep Also, clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning not attributed to the direct physiological effects of medication, drugs, or alcohol or another medical condition, such as traumatic brain injury. If these symptoms persist over months or years or cause you to drop into deep depression or anxiety, it is possible you have developed PTSD and we recomment reaching out to your primary care physician or seeking a mental health professional.