The consequences of trauma can be differentiated by whether they are acute or chronic. Acute trauma consequences are, for example, post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress reaction and permanent personality change. Chronic trauma can manifest itself as anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder or depression.
An acute stress reaction occurs directly as a result of a traumatising event. The affected person shows symptoms such as wandering, loss of orientation or sometimes has a memory gap. Heart palpitations, sweating, headaches or inner restlessness and irritability can be experienced as well. In some cases, an acute stress reaction can turn into a post-traumatic stress disorder.
A stress disorder is the consequence of a severely stressful, one-time or prolonged traumatic experience. It usually develops within six months after the event and usually includes three typical symptoms: Hyperarousal as "easy frightenability", flashbacks as uncontrolled re-experiencing of the trauma, and avoidance of situations or activities that could evoke the traumatic experience.
A lasting personality change can be the result of a trauma and can last for at least two years after the trauma. The person affected shows changes because they isolate themselves socially due to the traumatic situation and they often are afraid of the outside world and hardly allow any feelings. Maintaining relationships or forming new bonds is often not successful. At the same time, they place high expectations on other people to recognise their personality changes as a result of the trauma. Frequent illnesses, unstable moods and hypochondria are often associated with this condition.
