Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults like rape. People who suffer from PTSD experience a range of very difficult experiences following the trauma. For instance, they might "relive" the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, feel detached or estranged, and experience recurrent, intrusive images or thoughts about the trauma that are very upsetting. People with PTSD usually try very hard to avoid things that remind them of the trauma. They often have other problems including depression, substance use problems, difficulty with memory and concentration, and physical problems. These symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough to significantly impair the person's daily life, relationships, and career.