Post Traumatic Stress

Diminished responsiveness to the external world, referred to as "psychic numbing" or "emotional anaesthesia," usually begins soon after the traumatic event

Markedly diminished interest or participation in previously enjoyed activities

Feeling detached or estranged from other people

Having markedly reduced ability to feel emotions (especially those associated with intimacy, tenderness, and sexuality)

Avoidance of reminders may include, amnesia for an important aspect of the traumatic event

Difficulty falling or staying asleep, that may be due to recurrent nightmares during which the traumatic event is relived

The traumatic event can be re experienced in various ways. Commonly the person has recurrent and intrusive recollections of the event or recurrent distressing dreams during which the event is replayed

Intense psychological distress or physiological reactivity often occurs, when the person is exposed to triggering events that resemble or symbolise an aspect of the traumatic event.

Experiencing self as different people, multiple personalities or becoming 'depersonalised' and experiencing self as an observer can also occur. This can be terrifying for the person and very hard to explain or disclose to others

Lack of self-care

Turning to drink or drugs

The individual has persistent symptoms of anxiety or increased arousal that were not present before the trauma

Hyper-vigilance, and exaggerated startle response

In rare instances, the person experiences dissociative states that last from a few seconds to several hours, or even days, during which components of the event are relived and the person behaves as though experiencing the event at that moment

Irritability or outbursts of anger

Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks

Suicidal ideation