Other individuals may appear to recover and, in fact, lead emotionally healthy lives until some point in the future. At that point, they may be involved in another trauma, see representations of a trauma, or experience a triggering event that recalls their trauma, thus compromising their emotional stability. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a recognized psychiatric disorder. It is more than the normal emotional upset individuals experience following a crisis. Individuals usually are not able to recover on their own.
Effects are more lasting, for example, than with a grief process.
If treatment is not undertaken, unresolved emotional issues related to trauma could have lifelong psychological consequences. At any point in the future, even years ahead, flashbacks can occur, having additional negative emotional effect. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma, or a numbing of general responsiveness that was not present before the trauma. Persistent feelings not present before the trauma, including sleep disturbances, irritability, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response. Intensified symptoms when exposed to situations or activities that resemble or symbolize the original trauma.