Which term is often associated with a sense of helplessness and anxiety disruption due to trauma?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by a variety of symptoms that arise following exposure to a traumatic event. This condition often includes persistent feelings of helplessness, anxiety, and disruption in a person's ability to function normally in daily life. Individuals with PTSD may experience intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event, emotional numbing, hyper-vigilance, and heightened anxiety, all of which can significantly impair their overall well-being.

The defining aspect of PTSD is not only the experience of trauma but also the ongoing psychological stress that manifests in various forms, such as flashbacks and severe emotional distress when reminded of the trauma. This aligns with the sense of helplessness and anxiety as symptoms commonly associated with the disorder.

In contrast, acute stress disorder occurs in the aftermath of trauma but is typically characterized by symptoms lasting from three days to one month and may not lead to the prolonged sense of helplessness seen in PTSD. Generalized anxiety disorder focuses on chronic anxiety and excessive worry over multiple situations without necessarily being linked to a specific traumatic event. Social anxiety disorder primarily revolves around fear and avoidance of social situations, rather than trauma-related distress.

Thus, the association of trauma with a pervasive sense of helplessness and anxiety is a hallmark of PTSD, making it the