There may be symptoms of an Organic Mental Disorder, such as failing memory, difficulty in concentrating, emotional lability, headache, and vertigo. In the case of life-threatening trauma shared with others, survivors often describe painful guilt feelings about surviving when others did not, or about the things they had to do in order to survive. Age of onset. The disorder can occur at any age, including during childhood. Course and subtypes.
Symptoms usually begin immediately or soon after the trauma.
Reexperiencing symptoms may develop after a latency period of months or years following the trauma, though avoidance symptoms have usually been present during this period. Impairment and complications. Impairment may be either mild or severe and affect nearly every aspect of life. Phobic avoidance of situations or activities resembling or symbolizing the original trauma may interfere with interpersonal relations such as marriage or family life. Emotional lability, depression, and guilt may result in self-defeating behavior or suicidal actions.