Short answer: If weeks after a distressing event you still relive it, have nightmares, avoid reminders and feel constantly on guard, you may be experiencing a post-traumatic stress reaction. It is not weakness; the nervous system is stuck in danger mode, and trauma-focused therapy can help.
Symptoms
- Intrusive memories, nightmares
- Avoiding places or people linked to the event
- Startling easily, sleep problems, anger
- Guilt and self-blame
- Emotional numbness
Trauma vs grief
Grief after a loss is natural and softens over time. If months later daily life is still hard to sustain, grief too can be supported.
How therapy proceeds
- Safety and stabilisation: calming skills
- Processing the memory with trauma-focused therapy or EMDR
- Returning to life and preventing relapse
