Trauma results from exposure to an incident or series of events that are emotionally disturbing or life-threatening with lasting adverse effects on the individual's functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, and/or spiritual well-being. Many individuals impacted by trauma often struggle with the short term and long-term effects in a manner that greatly decreases the overall quality of life.
PTSD develops in reaction to physical injury or severe mental or emotional distress, such as military combat, violent assault, natural disaster, or other life-threatening events. It is characterized by prolonged psychological and physiological symptoms including: intrusive distressing memories, dreams or flashbacks, intense physiological or psychological distress, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood and marked alterations in arousal and reactivity.
