Every individual will have a different reaction to trauma. Sometimes the effect is immediate, while other times it takes a while to fully see a change. Unmanaged mental health is serious, and has a chance to completely ruin the life of the affected individual.

1. PTSD

PTSD is short for post-traumatic stress disorder. Traumatic experiences can turn into walking nightmares that get triggered by specific things. War, assault, and even harassment can all lead to PTSD symptoms. As the experience replays in your mind, the same feelings of the event fall over your entire body. Getting over PTSD requires professional help if you intend to get to the root of the problem.

2. Secondhand Trauma

Secondhand trauma is something that can easily be missed. While a victim recovers from the initial trauma, the person that witnesses it will feel what is known as vicarious trauma. They relate to the victim in such a way that their own feelings take on the role of the actual victim. Secondhand trauma creates a complicated situation for everyone involved. Although the initial feelings are related to empathy, that can quickly turn into a much more aggressive emotion.

3. Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder

DSED is often confused with reactive attachment disorder. Individuals affected by DSED have unresolved trauma or abandonment issues. The big difference between DSED and EAD is that the former are extremely outgoing and friendly. Impulsive actions become hard to avoid, and stability even harder as bonds come and go. Children that suffer from DSED will find life a lot harder if the condition isn’t treated before it evolves.

4. Acute Stress Disorder

In many ways, ASD is the precursor to full blown PTSD symptoms. Victims will usually feel the effects of it within the first month after the traumatic event. Recognizing the symptoms is why it is medically important to know when ASD strikes since it will likely lead to full PTSD. Untreated victims in this scenario have a longer road to recovery.

5. Depression

Depression makes every action feel hopeless, and can even lead to bad physical health. Many things can cause depression like losing a loved one, career opportunity or even having a bad week. Everyone goes through depression, but the real danger is not recognizing that you never snapped out of the initial stage.

6. Adjustment Disorder

When you have unpredictable reactions to stress, then adjustment disorder may be the problem. A good example of this is when a child has to deal with their parents divorcing. Initially, everything may seem fine when the dust settles. But when a sudden mood swing takes over after a small change, adjustment disorders can cause unpredictable results.

7. Bipolar Disorder

Childhood trauma has been linked to multiple mental disorders. This is something that becomes recognizable when an adult gets a diagnosis for bipolar disorder – multiple years after the initial trauma. Dealing with untreated bipolar disorder deep into adulthood comes with an incredible amount of baggage. Without proper help, adult bipolar disorders can morph into a new type of trauma.

A Difficult Problem

Talking about trauma is a hard thing to do. No one wants to be put on the spot, so it becomes easier to shut everyone out. Instead of ignoring mental health problems, do everything in your power to get the necessary help.