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Trauma happens when an experience overwhelms the brain’s ability to cope. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop when the effects of trauma continue long after the event has passed.
Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, and reactions can look very different from person to person.
❓ What Trauma Is
❓ What Trauma Is
Trauma can come from a single event or repeated experiences.
Common sources include:
Accidents or injuries
Abuse or neglect
Violence or threats
Medical emergencies
Ongoing stress or instability
Trauma responses are not a sign of weakness — they are the brain’s attempt to protect you.
Brain scan comparison: PTSD trauma response vs. regulated brain activity.
Neuroimaging research shows that PTSD is often linked to increased activity in fear-processing areas of the brain, while calming and reasoning areas may be less active. A regulated brain shows more balanced, steady patterns.
Side-by-side brain scan comparison showing PTSD trauma response activity versus normal regulated brain activity
⚠️ Common Trauma Responses
⚠️ Common Trauma Responses
After trauma, people may experience:
Emotional responses:
Fear, anxiety, or numbness
Irritability or mood changes
Feeling disconnected
Physical responses:
Trouble sleeping
Fatigue
Heightened startle response
Mental responses:
Intrusive memories
Difficulty concentrating
Avoidance of reminders
These responses can appear immediately or months later.
🧠 What PTSD Is
🧠 What PTSD Is
How PTSD develops over time.
Trauma can cause the brain and nervous system to stay in survival mode even after the danger is gone. Understanding this timeline helps explain common PTSD symptoms.
Timeline infographic explaining how trauma leads to PTSD symptoms before, during, and after a traumatic event
PTSD occurs when trauma-related symptoms persist and interfere with daily life.
PTSD may include:
Re-experiencing the event (memories, nightmares)
Avoidance of reminders
Ongoing hyper-alertness or tension
Changes in mood or beliefs
PTSD is a medical condition, not a character flaw.
🧠 What’s Happening in the Brain
🧠 What’s Happening in the Brain
Trauma affects how the brain processes threat and safety.
This may involve:
The fear center becoming overactive
Stress hormones remaining elevated
Reduced regulation in memory and emotion networks
The brain stays “on guard,” even when danger has passed.
🩺 How Trauma & PTSD Are Evaluated
🩺 How Trauma & PTSD Are Evaluated
Evaluation usually includes:
Discussion of symptoms and experiences
Assessing duration and impact on daily life
Ruling out other conditions
Diagnosis focuses on patterns, not on how “severe” an event was.
💊 Common Treatment Options
💊 Common Treatment Options
Trauma and PTSD are treatable.
Support may include:
Trauma-focused therapy
Skills for calming the nervous system
Medications in some cases
Gradual exposure and coping strategies
Treatment is paced and individualized.
🛠️ What Helps Day to Day
🛠️ What Helps Day to Day
Healing from PTSD is a gradual process.
Recovery often involves support, therapy, healthy coping skills, and time. Many people learn to feel safe and in control again with the right help.
Illustration showing a healing path for PTSD recovery including therapy, support, coping skills, and time
Helpful supports may include:
Grounding techniques
Predictable routines
Safe relationships and support systems
Adequate sleep and stress reduction
Healing often happens gradually.
🚨 When to Seek Immediate Help
🚨 When to Seek Immediate Help
Seek immediate help if trauma symptoms include:
Thoughts of harming yourself
Feeling unsafe or out of control
Severe dissociation or panic
In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
➡️ What’s Next
➡️ What’s Next
Trauma can change how the brain responds to the world, but recovery is possible.
You may also want to explore:
Support and understanding can help restore a sense of safety and control.
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