The traumatic event can be reexperienced in various ways. Commonly the person has recurrent and intrusive recollections of the event (Criterion Bl) or recurrent distressing dreams during which the event is replayed (Criterion B2). In rare instances, the person experiences dissociative states that last from a few seconds to several hours, or even days, during which components of the event are relived and the person behaves as though experiencing the event at that moment (Criterion B3). Intense psychological distress (Criterion B4) or physiological reactivity (Criterion B5) often occurs when the person is exposed to triggering events that resemble or symbolize an aspect of the traumatic event (e.g., anniversaries of the traumatic event; cold, snowy weather or uniformed guards for survivors of death camps in cold climates; hot, humid weather for combat veterans of the South Pacific; entering any elevator for a woman who was raped in an elevator).

Stimuli associated with the trauma are persistently avoided. The person commonly makes deliberate efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the traumatic

Reexperiencing traumatic events, flash-backs, is a common symptom for officer's. It is often reported by officer's as one the most distressing aspect of PTSD. It should not be ignored by the doctor or the officer/patient.

Triggering events: By their unexpected nature "triggers" play a major role in prolonging officer distress. Triggers are one of the main reason's officer's develop a wide variety of avoidant behaviors.

Repeated, unexpected events that trigger an unpleasant emotional reaction can increase the officer's efforts to try to avoid anything related to the event.

Avoidance of anything that reminds us of the traumatic event should be recognized as a symptom--symptoms can be treated successfully. (The use of alcohol may increase as the officer tries, unsuccessfully, to avoid even thinking about the traumatic event)

Further, seeing death often doesn't make you immune--denying a problem is not the same as not having a problem.

Some cases can drag out for years. The more involved you get the greater the likelihood of developing symptoms. (see inescapable shock)

Flashbacks can be caused by almost anything (see triggers), i.e., smells, or certain sounds. Even the newspaper or the evening news can cause a flashback. Knowing that flashback are cause by some kind of trigger can cause you to try to avoid anything that may cause a flashback, the result can be avoidant behavior.

Avoidance comes in all forms. It got so bad for one officer that just leaving the house became too much to handle (agoraphobia, the fear of going outside, isn't uncommon in advanced cases of PTSD).