Quick Summary:
You might be surprised to learn what causes PTSD — it’s not just war or natural disasters. Causes of PTSD include things like medical emergencies, emotional abuse, or even witnessing harm secondhand. In this article, we explore 10 surprising PTSD triggers to help you recognize how lesser-known trauma can lead to lasting emotional impact — for yourself or someone you care about.
Clinically Reviewed by Dr. Beau Nelson DBH, LCSW, Chief Clinical Officer
When you think of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you might imagine a war-torn hero returning from time at the front, only to discover the trauma he endured has lasting negative effects. Although anyone can experience PTSD after a traumatic event, we often associate it with those people who have factors and experiences that make them more likely to develop it. First responders and military personnel are groups that are at higher risk simply because of the nature of their work and how often they are exposed to trauma.
But the reality is that most of us will experience at least one trauma during our lives that could be among the many causes of PTSD. And about 6% of the U.S. population will have PTSD at some point in their lives. If you’ve experienced negative after-effects of a traumatic episode, you may not realize your symptoms are signs of PTSD, but it’s possible.
There are different forms of PTSD that many people don’t know about — and it’s not always caused by ONE specific event.
- Complex PTSD, which includes repeated or prolonged exposure to harmful situations like child abuse or domestic violence, can cause PTSD symptoms to develop eventually.
- Secondary trauma, which is exposure through witnessing or being part of a group experiencing trauma, can also cause symptoms.
Other lesser-known causes include:
Medical trauma
Medical emergencies or long hospital stays can be deeply unsettling—especially when you feel powerless, in pain, or unsure of what’s happening. An unexpected diagnosis or required surgery can leave emotional wounds that stick around. What you’re feeling in those moments — and after — can shake you to your core. and you’re allowed to feel that way.
Birth trauma
Giving birth—or being there for someone who is—can be one of the most intense experiences in life. But when things don’t go as expected, or you feel unheard during labor, it can leave more than physical pain behind. If the experience still makes your heart race or your chest tighten, know you’re not alone. Birth can bring joy and trauma at the same time—and both are valid.
Witnessing or experiencing emotional abuse
Not all trauma leaves bruises. Emotional abuse—like being gaslit, constantly criticized, or made to feel small—can slowly wear you down. If you’re still working to rebuild your sense of safety or self-worth after a relationship, it’s understandable. That kind of hurt stays with you, even when it’s invisible to others.
Witnessing a crisis
Even if it didn’t happen to you, witnessing something terrible—like a crash, a fight, or a public emergency—can leave you shaken long after the moment ends. You might replay it in your head or avoid reminders without even realizing why. That response is completely human, and among the causes of PTSD.
Sudden, unexpected loss
Losing someone you love without warning—whether through overdose, suicide, or an accident—can flip your world upside down. If you’re stuck in grief, replaying the moment, or feeling like time froze, it’s not “just sadness.” Sudden loss often brings trauma with it, especially when there was no chance to say goodbye.
Parenting a child with a chronic or life-threatening condition
When your child is seriously ill or facing a long-term condition, you carry so much more than worry. You’re navigating doctors, decisions, and moments of fear most parents never imagine. That constant state of alertness—of “what if”—can build into something that looks a lot like trauma. And it deserves care, too.
Healthcare professionals
Being the one others rely on during their worst moments—whether you’re a nurse, doctor, therapist, or first responder—takes its toll. Seeing pain, loss, or crisis every day doesn’t just roll off your shoulders. Even the strongest providers can carry invisible weight, and asking for help doesn’t make you any less capable.
Long-term bullying
Whether it happened in school or in the workplace, being targeted over time can chip away at how you see yourself. If you’re still unlearning shame, fear, or a feeling that you’re “not good enough,” that’s not in your head. Bullying Is trauma—and healing from it is real work.
Divorce and court battles
Drawn-out, emotionally charged separations—especially those involving custody or financial stress—can leave scars that last long after the paperwork is done. If you’re still feeling stuck in survival mode, know that kind of stress can deeply impact your sense of safety and stability.
Community violence
When you live in a place where danger feels too close—whether it’s gun violence, break-ins, or constant uncertainty—it changes how your body and mind move through the world.
You might stay on high alert, have trouble sleeping, or feel like you can never fully exhale. That’s not weakness. That’s your nervous system responding to chronic stress.
So, how can you tell whether you might be suffering? Causes of PTSD and PTSD symptoms are grouped into four different types and can vary from person to person. They include:
- Intrusive memories – like reliving a traumatic event or experiencing upsetting dreams or nightmares.
- Avoidance – such as actively avoiding conversation or places, people, and activities that remind you of the event.
- Physical and emotional changes – including trouble concentrating or sleeping, feeling easily frightened by everyday situations or engaging in self-destructive behaviors like drinking too much.
- Changes in thinking or mood – such as negative thoughts about yourself or the world, feeling detached from family and friends, feeling numb or experiencing ongoing fear, blame, guilt, or shame.
Start Your Healing Journey with MindGlow Health
If any of these experiences sound familiar, know that you’re not alone and there’s no “right” kind of trauma that qualifies you to seek help.
Healing is possible, and support is here when you’re ready, even if it’s been years since traumatic events have occurred. Visit our PTSD resource page to learn more about symptoms, support options, and how trauma can show up in different ways.
You can also explore our guide to choosing the right therapist, or book a session with a provider who understands trauma-informed care
