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.

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.

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.