What Kind of Events Can Trigger PTSD?

The event that predisposes PTSD must be particularly upsetting and threatening to the patient from their subjective experience. The patient may not need to live through the event first-hand; sometimes being present at the scene, or hearing or witnessing about the event, could trigger a similar response. Common events that trigger PTSD include physical assault, sexual violence, accidents, combat exposure, natural disasters, robbery, torture and terrorist attacks.