Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a mental health condition that some people develop after they experience or witness a traumatic event. The traumatic event may be life-threatening or pose a significant threat to your physical, emotional or spiritual well-being. PTSD affects people of all ages.
People with PTSD have intense and intrusive thoughts and feelings related to the experience that last long after the event. PTSD involves stress responses like:
- Anxiety, depressed mood, or feelings of guilt or shame.
- Having flashbacks or nightmares.
- Avoiding situations, places and activities related to the traumatic event.
These symptoms cause distress and interfere with your daily functioning.
Types of PTSD
Two conditions are closely related to PTSD:
- Acute stress disorder: This is a short-term mental health condition that can occur within the first month after experiencing a traumatic event. Symptoms lasting longer than four weeks may meet the criteria for PTSD.
- Complex PTSD (CPTSD): This is a mental health condition that can develop if you experience chronic (long-term) trauma. Examples of chronic trauma include long-term child physical or sexual abuse, long-term domestic violence and war. People with CPTSD typically have PTSD symptoms in addition to extensive issues with emotion regulation, sense of self and relationships.
Types of PTSD
Two conditions are closely related to PTSD:
- Acute stress disorder: This is a short-term mental health condition that can occur within the first month after experiencing a traumatic event. Symptoms lasting longer than four weeks may meet the criteria for PTSD.
- Complex PTSD (CPTSD): This is a mental health condition that can develop if you experience chronic (long-term) trauma. Examples of chronic trauma include long-term child physical or sexual abuse, long-term domestic violence and war. People with CPTSD typically have PTSD symptoms in addition to extensive issues with emotion regulation, sense of self and relationships.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
To receive a PTSD diagnosis, symptoms must last for more than a month and must cause significant distress or issues in your daily functioning. The symptoms of PTSD fall into four categories:
Intrusion:
- Intrusive thoughts, such as repeated, involuntary memories.
- Nightmares.
- Flashbacks of the traumatic event, which can be very vivid and feel real.
Avoidance:
- Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event, like people, places, activities, things and situations.
- Avoiding remembering or thinking about the traumatic event.
- Avoiding talking about what happened or how you feel about it.
What causes PTSD?
To receive a PTSD diagnosis, symptoms must last for more than a month and must cause significant distress or issues in your daily functioning. The symptoms of PTSD fall into four categories:
Intrusion:
- Intrusive thoughts, such as repeated, involuntary memories.
- Nightmares.
- Flashbacks of the traumatic event, which can be very vivid and feel real.
Avoidance:
- Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event, like people, places, activities, things and situations.
- Avoiding remembering or thinking about the traumatic event.
- Avoiding talking about what happened or how you feel about it.
How is PTSD diagnosed?
There’s no test to diagnose PTSD. Instead, a healthcare provider makes the diagnosis after asking about your:
- Symptoms.
- Medical history.
- Mental health history.
- Exposure to trauma.
It may be difficult to talk about the trauma. You may want to bring a loved one with you to the appointment for support and to help provide details about your symptoms and behavior changes.