Post-traumatic stress disorder
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is an anxiety problem that develops in some people after extremely traumatic events, such as combat, crime, an accident or natural disaster.
People with PTSD may re-live the event via intrusive memories, flashbacks and nightmares; avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma; and have anxious feelings they didn’t have before that are so intense their lives are disrupted.
Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology
What you can do
- Mind/body health: The effects of traumatic stress
There are things you can do to help yourself if you have suffered traumatic stress, which can affect both your emotions and your body.
Getting help
- Find a Psychologist
- Helping families cope with PTSD
Psychologists study ways to address PTSD in the context of relationships.
News
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Hundreds of PTSD soldiers likely misdiagnosed
August 15, 2010, Associated Press
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Military keeping traumatized soldiers in combat zones
August 1, 2010, MSNBC
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After a disaster, kids suffer PTSD too
July 21, 2010, TIME Magazine
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Researchers use Ecstasy to treat PTSD
July 19, 2010, U.S. News & World Report
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Groups find trauma rule for veterans lacking
July 13, 2010, The New York Times
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PTSD claims made easier for veterans
July 10, 2010, CNN
Monitor on Psychology Articles
- Warrior suicides
May 2010
- The psychologist in Baghdad
February 2010
- Expanding care for service member and their families
December 2009
- Writing about wounds
October 2009