Trauma symptoms
It’s normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after a traumatic event. At first, it may be hard to perform normal daily activities, like go to work or spend time with people you care about. Some people may start to experience symptoms after few weeks but there may be a delay of months or even years before symptoms start to appear.
Symptoms of trauma can be both psychological and physical.
Emotional and Psychological Symptoms
- Shock, denial, or disbelief
- Confusion, difficulty concentrating
- Anger, irritability, mood swings
- Anxiety and fear
- Guilt, shame, self-blame
- Withdrawing from others
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Feeling disconnected or numb
Physcial Symptoms
- Insomnia or nightmare
- Fatigue
- Being startled easily
- Difficulty concentrating
- Racing heartbeat
- Edginess and agitation
- Aches and pains
- Muscle tension
Brain Function
Trauma can change key structures of the brain, the amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These structures contribute to the feelings and actions associated with fear, clear thinking, decision-making, and memory. PTSD has been linked with poorer performance on neurocognitive tasks across various domains including attention, working memory, processing speed, verbal learning and memory, and executive functions.
Chronic Pain
For people with chronic pain, the pain may actually serve as a reminder of the traumatic event, such as a physical or sexual assault, or a motor vehicle accident. Under these circumstances the person may experience both chronic pain and PTSD. The person in pain may not even realize the connection between their pain and a traumatic event. Approximately 15% to 35% of patients with chronic pain also have PTSD. One study found that 51% of patients with chronic low back pain had PTSD symptoms.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Brain injury often occurs during physical trauma, such as an accident, blast, or a fall. Many of the symptoms of a TBI overlap with the emotional, physical, and cognitive symptoms of trauma. For these reasons, the best way to diagnose a TBI and PTSD is an interview and evaluation by a skilled clinician.