Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Definition

These are a group of mental health disorders that includes any mental health condition that's triggered by a traumatic event. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Analogy

Imagine watching a scary movie that really freaks you out. Even after the movie is over, you might still feel scared or jumpy when you think about it. For someone with a trauma and stressor-related disorder, they're constantly reliving their own real-life horror movie.

Related terms

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A disorder characterized by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD): This is characterized by the development of severe anxiety, dissociation, and other symptoms within one month after exposure to an extreme traumatic stressor.

Adjustment Disorders: These are stress-related conditions where you feel overwhelmed and have trouble coping with your daily life.