Experiencing a traumatic event does not always lead to the development of PTSD. While trauma can cause PTSD, not all trauma survivors receive this diagnosis, as alternative diagnoses may apply. PTSD is diagnosed when exceptionally stressful events cause discomfort or trauma that one is unable to forget. However, other disorders like acute stress disorder may develop instead of PTSD following trauma. If PTSD is not diagnosed after trauma, conditions like anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorders could provide alternative explanations for a client's experiences and symptoms.