A mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences a traumatic event, characterized by persistent re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal symptoms.

Trauma:

An emotional or psychological response to an event that is distressing or disturbing, often beyond the individual’s ability to cope.

Re-Experiencing Symptoms:

Intrusive and distressing memories, flashbacks, nightmares, or distressing reactions triggered by reminders of the traumatic event.

Avoidance Behaviors:

Deliberate efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, places, or activities associated with the traumatic event, as a way to cope with distress.

Hyperarousal:

An elevated state of arousal or heightened sensitivity to potential threats, leading to irritability, difficulty sleeping, and hypervigilance.

Trigger:

Any stimulus, such as sights, sounds, or smells, that evokes distressing memories or emotions related to the traumatic event.

Flashback:

A vivid and intrusive re-experiencing of the traumatic event, as if it were happening again in the present moment.

Dissociation:

A coping mechanism where individuals mentally detach from their surroundings or emotions to cope with overwhelming distress.

Survivor’s Guilt:

Feelings of guilt experienced by individuals who have survived a traumatic event while others did not, leading to a sense of unworthiness or responsibility.

Trauma-Informed Care:

An approach to mental health care that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and aims to create a safe and supportive environment for survivors.