Someone with trauma or PTSD may experience intrusive thoughts or flashbacks, which can include feeling as though the traumatic event is happening over and over again. They may also have intense negative thoughts or feelings – common feelings include guilt, shame, anger, sadness, anxiety and fear. PTSD can also cause irritability, difficulty sleeping or relaxing, feelings of numbness or loss of interest, problems concentrating, memory difficulties, constantly feeling “on guard,” and a heightened startle response.
These symptoms can often lead to avoidance of anything associated with the trauma, which can in turn cause additional challenges.

With addiction, there can be an intense craving or compulsion to use a substance or engage in a behavior, despite harmful consequences. Feelings of loss of control are commonly reported. People with addiction can develop a tolerance, requiring more of the substance or behavior to achieve the desired effects. When unable to obtain or engage in the addictive substance or behavior, they may experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and physical illness.

People with anxiety may experience excessive worry, fear, unease and dread, even when there is no apparent threat. Racing thoughts, or rumination (repetitive, fixated thoughts about a particular issue) about worries are also common, and can intensify anxiety levels. Physical symptoms like a rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and muscle tension are
common. Anxiety can also cause difficulty concentrating, irritability, changes in appetite, and disrupted sleep patterns.

People with depression often experience persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. They may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed and have difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or completing tasks like they previously did. Physical symptoms like fatigue, changes in appetite (over-eating or under-eating) and sleep patterns (excessive sleep or difficulty sleeping) are also common with depression.