Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. The person who develops PTSD may have been the one who was harmed, the harm may have happened to a loved one, or the person may have witnessed a harmful event that happened to loved ones or strangers.

PTSD was first brought to public attention in relation to war veterans, but it can result from a variety of traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.

People with PTSD may startle easily, become emotionally numb (especially in relation to people with whom they used to be close), lose interest in things they used to enjoy, have trouble feeling affectionate, be irritable, become more aggressive, or even become violent. They avoid situations that remind them of the original incident, and anniversaries of the incident are often very difficult. PTSD symptoms seem to be worse if the event that triggered them was deliberately initiated by another person, as in a mugging or a kidnapping. Most people with PTSD repeatedly relive the trauma in their thoughts during the day and in nightmares when they sleep. These are called flashbacks. Flashbacks may consist of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, and are often triggered by ordinary occurrences, such as a door slamming or a car backfiring on the street. A person having a flashback may lose touch with reality and believe that the traumatic incident is happening all over again.

Not every traumatized person develops full-blown or even minor PTSD. Symptoms usually begin within 3 months of the incident but occasionally emerge years afterward. They must last more than a month to be considered PTSD. The course of the illness varies. Some people recover within 6 months, while others have symptoms that last much longer. In some people, the condition becomes chronic.

PTSD affects about 7.7 million American adults, but it can occur at any age, including childhood. Women are more likely to develop PTSD than men, and there is some evidence that vulnerability to the disorder may run in families. PTSD is often accompanied by depression, substance abuse, or one or more of the other anxiety disorders.

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Additional Resources

Publications

Answers in the Aftermath — This brochure offers answers to commonly asked questions about post-traumatic stress disorder and how to deal with trauma in the aftermath of events. It provides useful tips for beginning the healing process and gives resources for additional help or information.
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA05-4027/lovedoneforprint.asp...
Anxiety Disorders — This publication provides information about the different anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and social phobia, among others.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder — Many women develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after events such as domestic violence, abuse, and rape. This publication discusses the importance of getting help for symptoms associated with PTSD, and it also provides a checklist of the physical and mental symptoms that women with PTSD might have.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-easy-to-read/index.shtml...
PTSD in Children and Adolescents — This brief fact sheet provides information about PTSD symptoms in children.
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/ptsd-children-adolescents.asp
Employees With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Copyright © Job Accommodation Network) — This publication for employers offers basic information about issues specific to employees with post-traumatic stress disorder. The article discusses the issues that can affect these individuals, offers suggestions for employers and also includes example scenarios as well as a list of resources for further information.
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/ptsd.html
Factsheet: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Copyright © Mental Health America) — This fact sheet provides a detailed overview of post-traumatic stress disorder, including its causes, symptoms, and ways to recovery.
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/ptsd
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — This page links to helpful information from the National Institute of Mental Health about PTSD.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml...
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Copyright © Madison Institute of Health) — This Web site provides a place where visitors can learn about the likelihood of being affected by post-traumatic stress disorder in a reassuring, confidential environment. Helpful treatment resources are also provided, as well as continuing education for clinicians.
http://ptsd.factsforhealth.org/
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Copyright © Anxiety Disorders Association of America) — This Web page describes the three main categories of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. It also discusses who is at risk of having PTSD.
http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
Screening for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Copyright © Anxiety Disorders Association of America) — Complete this quick self-test and bring the answers to your doctor. He or she can tell if you have PTSD, and if so, recommend treatment options.
http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/ask-and-learn/screenings/screening-posttraumatic-stress-disorder-pt...
What Is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? (Copyright © New York Online Access to Health) — This Web site provides links to online publications with in-depth information about post-traumatic stress disorder, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
http://www.noah-health.org/en/mental/disorders/ptsd/what/index.html

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

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