Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Symptoms that arise as a result of experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, including flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, and hyperarousal.
Recurring memories or images of the traumatic event that intrude into consciousness and cause emotional distress.
Hyperarousal: An intense state of heightened physiological arousal characterized by increased heart rate, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response.