Traumatic Event
the originMind & Cognition
Flashbacks & intrusive memories
Unwanted replay of traumatic moments, vivid and distressing
Nightmares
Recurring trauma-related dreams that disrupt sleep
Decreased concentration
Difficulty focusing, memory gaps, mental fog
Hopelessness
A foreshortened sense of future; struggling to imagine moving forward
Emotional & Relational
Shame & self-loathing
Deep internal criticism and distorted self-perception
Hypervigilance & mistrust
Constant scanning for danger; difficulty trusting others
Social anxiety
Avoidance of social situations; fear of judgment or harm
Emotional numbing
Feeling detached, empty, or disconnected from others
Body & Nervous System
Nervous system dysregulation
Stuck in fight, flight, or freeze; difficulty self-regulating
Insomnia & sleep disruption
Trouble falling or staying asleep; hyperarousal at night
Chronic pain
Somatic symptoms — headaches, tension, unexplained physical pain
Panic attacks
Sudden intense fear with racing heart and breathlessness
Behavior & Coping
Irritability & anger
Emotional outbursts, low frustration tolerance, reactivity
Decreased interest
Loss of motivation in activities, relationships, and daily life
Addictions
Substance use or compulsive behaviors to manage pain
Avoidance
Steering clear of triggers — people, places, or memories
Mood & Crisis
Depression
Persistent low mood, worthlessness, and loss of pleasure
Dissociation
Feeling detached from reality, your body, or sense of self
Suicidality & self-harm
Thoughts of ending life or self-harm as an escape from pain
Hopeless ideation
Persistent belief that things cannot improve
“Trauma survivors have symptoms instead of memories.”
— Harvey, 1990Myers Therapy Services PLLC