They may also experience sleep problems, depression, feeling detached or numb, or being easily startled. They may lose interest in things they used to enjoy and have trouble feeling affectionate. They may feel irritable, more aggressive than before, or even violent. Seeing things that remind them of the incident may be very distressing, which could lead them to avoid certain places or situations that bring back those memories. Anniversaries of the event are often very difficult.
Ordinary events can serve as reminders of the trauma and trigger flashbacks or intrusive images.
A person having a flashback, which can come in the form of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, usually believes that the traumatic event is happening all over again. PTSD can develop at any age,including childhood. The disorder can be accompanied by depression, substance abuse, or anxiety. Symptoms may be mild or severe people may become easily irritated or have violent outbursts. In severe cases they may have trouble working or socializing.