PTSD
Overview
Post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event —
either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks,
nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the
event. Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary
difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually
get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or even years, and
interfere with your day-to-day functioning, you may have PTSD. Getting
effective treatment after PTSD symptoms develop can be critical to reduce
symptoms and improve function.
Symptoms
Post-traumatic stress disorder
symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but sometimes
symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms cause
significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships. They
can also interfere with your ability to go about your normal daily tasks. PTSD
symptoms are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance,
negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional
reactions. Symptoms can vary over time or vary from person to person.
Intrusive memories
Symptoms of intrusive memories
may include:
Recurrent, unwanted distressing
memories of the traumatic event
Reliving the traumatic event as
if it were happening again (flashbacks)
Upsetting dreams or nightmares
about the traumatic event
Severe emotional distress or
physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event
Avoidance
Symptoms of avoidance may
include:
Trying to avoid thinking or
talking about the traumatic event
Avoiding places, activities or
people that remind you of the traumatic event
Negative changes in thinking and
mood
Symptoms of negative changes in
thinking and mood may include:
Negative thoughts about yourself,
other people or the world
Hopelessness about the future
Memory problems, including not
remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
Difficulty maintaining close
relationships
Feeling detached from family and
friends
Lack of interest in activities
you once enjoyed
Difficulty experiencing positive
emotions
Feeling emotionally numb
Changes in physical and emotional
reactions
Symptoms of changes in physical
and emotional reactions (also called arousal symptoms) may include:
Being easily startled or
frightened
Always being on guard for danger
Self-destructive behavior, such
as drinking too much or driving too fast
Trouble sleeping
Trouble concentrating
Irritability, angry outbursts or
aggressive behavior
Overwhelming guilt or shame
For children 6 years old and younger, signs and symptoms may
also include:
Re-enacting the traumatic event or aspects of the traumatic
event through play
Frightening dreams that may or may not include aspects of
the traumatic event
Intensity of symptoms
PTSD symptoms can vary in
intensity over time. You may have more PTSD symptoms when you're stressed in
general, or when you come across reminders of what you went through. For
example, you may hear a car backfire and relive combat experiences. Or you may
see a report on the news about a sexual assault and feel overcome by memories
of your own assault.
When to see a doctor
If you have disturbing thoughts
and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a month, if they're severe,
or if you feel you're having trouble getting your life back under control, talk
to your doctor or a mental health professional. Getting treatment as soon as
possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse.
If you have suicidal thoughts
If you or someone you know has
suicidal thoughts, get help right away through one or more of these resources:
Reach out to a close friend or
loved one.
Contact a minister, a spiritual
leader or someone in your faith community.
Call a suicide hotline number —
in the United States, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor. Use that same
number and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
Make an appointment with your
doctor or a mental health professional.
When to get emergency help
If you think you may hurt
yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number
immediately.
If you know someone who's in
danger of attempting suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone
stays with that person to keep him or her safe. Call 911 or your local
emergency number immediately. Or, if you can do so safely, take the person to the
nearest hospital emergency room.
Causes
You can develop post-traumatic
stress disorder when you go through, see or learn about an event involving
actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation.
Doctors aren't sure why some
people get PTSD. As with most mental health problems, PTSD is probably caused
by a complex mix of:
Stressful experiences, including
the amount and severity of trauma you've gone through in your life
Inherited mental health risks,
such as a family history of anxiety and depression
Inherited features of your
personality — often called your temperament
The way your brain regulates the
chemicals and hormones your body releases in response to stress
Risk factors
People of all ages can have
post-traumatic stress disorder. However, some factors may make you more likely
to develop PTSD after a traumatic event, such as:
Experiencing intense or
long-lasting trauma
Having experienced other trauma
earlier in life, such as childhood abuse
Having a job that increases your
risk of being exposed to traumatic events, such as military personnel and first
responders
Having other mental health
problems, such as anxiety or depression
Having problems with substance
misuse, such as excess drinking or drug use
Lacking a good support system of
family and friends
Having blood relatives with
mental health problems, including anxiety or depression
Kinds of traumatic events
The most common events leading to
the development of PTSD include:
Combat exposure
Childhood physical abuse
Sexual violence
Physical assault
Being threatened with a weapon
An accident
Many other traumatic events also
can lead to PTSD, such as fire, natural disaster, mugging, robbery, plane
crash, torture, kidnapping, life-threatening medical diagnosis, terrorist
attack, and other extreme or life-threatening events.
Complications
Post-traumatic stress disorder
can disrupt your whole life ― your job, your relationships, your health and
your enjoyment of everyday activities.
Having PTSD may also increase
your risk of other mental health problems, such as:
Depression and anxiety
Issues with drugs or alcohol use
Eating disorders
Suicidal thoughts and actions
Prevention
After surviving a traumatic
event, many people have PTSD-like symptoms at first, such as being unable to stop
thinking about what's happened. Fear, anxiety, anger, depression, guilt — all
are common reactions to trauma. However, the majority of people exposed to
trauma do not develop long-term post-traumatic stress disorder.
Getting timely help and support
may prevent normal stress reactions from getting worse and developing into
PTSD. This may mean turning to family and friends who will listen and offer
comfort. It may mean seeking out a mental health professional for a brief
course of therapy. Some people may also find it helpful to turn to their faith
community.
Support from others also may help
prevent you from turning to unhealthy coping methods, such as misuse of alcohol
or drugs.
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