Beyond the immediate trauma of a self-defense encounter, what specific long-term psychological symptom requires proactive monitoring and potential intervention?

Beyond the immediate trauma of a self-defense encounter, the specific long-term psychological symptom that requires proactive monitoring and potential intervention is 'moral injury'. Moral injury refers to the psychological distress resulting from actions, or the lack thereof, that violate one's deeply held moral beliefs and expectations. In the context of self-defense, this can manifest as profound guilt, shame, or self-condemnation, even if the actions were legally justified. This can lead to debilitating anxiety, depression, and difficulty reintegrating into normal life, even more so than typical PTSD symptoms. Proactive monitoring for moral injury is crucial because it often goes unrecognized and can have devastating long-term consequences on psychological well-being.