one friend of mine has night terrors as part of the PTSD. that's not something that would come out right away in the way your story is unfolding.

through other one (female) is triggered by loud noises, anything remotely connected to the event, and gets steadily worse without professional treatment. she has dissolved into panic attacks several times over the last year+, twice where i helped her. you can see her shut down outside of the panic attack, where it isn't catastrophic but it's too much for her.