What trauma does to a person varies widely. Short-term signs of trauma may include shock, confusion, agitation, exhaustion, numbness, dissociation, and denial about the event. More long-lasting trauma symptoms include intrusive flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, mood swings, emotional detachment, hopelessness, avoidance of activities associated with the trauma, and feelings of guilt, anxiety, and shame. Some people may even experience physical symptoms of trauma such as headaches and nausea.