PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ("PTSD")
You have gone through a traumatic experience and your suspicious of strangers, relive a traumatic moment in your mind and can freeze with fear when confronted with your trauma. When you see your trigger make a Wisdom Saving Throw DC15, on failure you become Frightened of the trigger, on success you are unaffected and remain so for 24 hours. On the start of your next turn make another Wisdom Saving Throw DC15, on failure you become Incapacitated until the end of your next turn.
When you take a Long Rest, roll a d20, on a Natural One you take 1 level of Exhaustion and don't complete the Long Rest.
Causes
A traumatic event in the past such as a violent kidnapping, witnessing murder, severe injuries, etc. Adventuring leaves psychological scars on the psyche, unseen by the naked eye. One day you'll be pushed too far and acquire neurological trauma so great you can no longer shake it off with some rest.
Perhaps a dragon breathes fire on you and you experience crippling fear when confronted with fire.
Symptoms
Intrusive memories
- Flashbacks - vivid memory triggered by being reminded of and/or reliving the trauma.
- Nightmares - (recurring) dreams about the traumatic event
- Emotional distress - Severe emotional or physical reactions to reminders of the trauma.
Avoidance
- Avoiding reminders - Steering clear of people, places, activities, or situations that trigger memories of the trauma.
- Avoiding thoughts/feelings - Trying not to think or talk about the traumatic event.
Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood
- Negative thoughts - Persistent negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world.
- Hopelessness - Feeling like the future is bleak or that life won’t improve.
- Memory problems - Difficulty remembering important aspects of the trauma.
- Detachment - Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from loved ones.
- Loss of interest - Losing interest in activities once enjoyed.
- Guilt or shame - Feeling responsible for the trauma or blaming oneself.
Changes in Emotional Reactions
- Hyperarousal - Being easily startled or feeling constantly on edge.
- Irritability - Outbursts of anger or aggression.
- Sleep problems - Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
- Difficulty concentrating - Trouble focusing on tasks.
- Self-destructive behavior - Engaging in risky or harmful activities.
Treatment
- Therapy or Support - The character might seek help from a cleric, bard, or wise NPC to reduce the effects over time with contested Persuasion checks.
- Downtime Activities - Spend downtime to recover from trauma, possibly with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check.
- Magic - Spells like Calm Emotions, Greater Restoration, or Remove Curse could help alleviate symptoms.
- Medic - Drugs or surgeries can be researched to treat the psychological ailment.
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