One of the best-known symptoms of PTSD is due to television or film depictions. A person going through their day is suddenly confronted with a memory or feeling from a traumatic event or situation.

People that endure trauma can have vivid, disturbing dreams that result in waking up screaming or having insomnia.

Avoid certain places or situations that can trigger memories or feelings of the trauma.

A natural defense of the brain blocks specific memories to cope with everyday life. Without proper treatment, these memories resurface and result in nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and avoidance of daily activities.

People who survived trauma can feel hopeless and unable to visualize a future milestone or old age. They often have a negative perception of themselves and the world.

Trauma survivors may feel disconnected from people to avoid triggers or feelings that no one will understand them.

PTSD creates a state where the brain enters a "fight, flight, or freeze" at random times on a day-to-day basis. This anger can result in lashing out at others and not fully understanding why.

People with PTSD can feel unmotivated or uninterested in activities that once made them happy or content.

The body's defense mechanism increases alertness to be ready for other threats. This defensive state is the most exhausting for trauma survivors because it can keep the brain in a hyper-sensory condition.

Due to the mind and body being in constant defense and anxiety, people with PTSD can have issues concentrating on work, home, and school.

The mind must let its guard down to sleep; people with PTSD are in a defensive state that prevents natural sleep.

Flashbacks are different from intrusive thoughts because the feelings may reflect a traumatic event repeating on a loop. The memory can be vivid enough that it tricks the mind into that the event is actually happening.

IAny reminder of an event or feeling can trigger a flashback or the body’s natural defense mechanism, so people with PTSD will avoid certain places or people.

People living with PTSD sometimes will cast blame on themselves or others in the situation.

People with PTSD will sometimes not trust positive emotions. Such as, a graduation party may become overwhelming because the mind will activate the natural defense mechanism to not let its guard down.

Slight noises can make someone with PTSD uneasy and jumpy. To reduce the startle response, some people will unknowingly self-medicate with alcohol or opioids.

The last symptom of PTSD is engaging in risky behavior. Risky behaviors include drug abuse, alcoholism, unsafe sex, high-adrenaline activities, and behavioral addictions (gambling, shopping, etc.). Most people with PTSD are more likely to try substances at a younger age; this can result in addiction issues. Those coping with their trauma through "compulsive comfort-seeking" should seek professional treatment as soon as possible.