Trauma Related Disorders
What is it?
An adjustment disorder can develop in people who experience more stress than normal. While some stress in life can be healthy, stress that disrupts everything from work and school to relationships may indicate a deeper issue. Some symptoms of an adjustment disorder may manifest within a few months of the stressful experience:
- Crying
- Feeling sad
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Thinking or acting on suicidal thoughts
- Feeling more worried or anxious than normal
- Not wanting to eat
- Experiencing difficulty sleeping
- Staying away from friends and family
Symptoms can be either acute, meaning they last for less than six months and lessen once the stressful cause is gone, or persistent. If your symptoms appear to be chronic and make it difficult to get through the day, it may be time to see a mental health professional.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Post traumatic stress disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
When someone experiences a stressful situation that includes serious injury, sexual violence, and any form of facing death, that experience can result in post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is a serious mental illness that can disrupt everyday life for the person dealing with it and surrounding loved ones. Some symptoms include:
- Nightmares and flashbacks
- Uncontrollable memories intruding into everyday life
- Increased heartbeat and sweating
- A consistent feeling of being on guard
- Insomnia
- Guilty feelings about what happened
- Helpless and hopeless feelings
Resources
- Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Disasters and Other Traumatic Events: What Parents, Rescue Workers, and the Community Can Do: This brochure describes common reactions to trauma and what parents, rescue workers, and the community can do to help children and adolescents cope with disasters and other traumatic events. Also available en español.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: This brochure provides information about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) including what it is, who develops PTSD, symptoms, treatment options, and how to find help for yourself or someone else who may have PTSD. Also available en español.
- Shareable Resources on PTSD: Help support PTSD awareness and education in your community. Use these digital resources, including graphics and messages, to spread the word about PTSD.
- NIMH-Funded Researcher Discusses PTSD: Learn the signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and the latest research on PTSD.
- National Center for PTSD: Part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, this website has targeted information for anyone interested in PTSD (including veterans, family, and friends) and for professional researchers and health care providers. The site also offers videos and information about an online app called PTSD Coach.
- PTSD (MedlinePlus – also en español)