Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) sometimes follows a very dangerous or life-threatening event that a person experienced or witnessed. Combat, assault, car accidents, and natural disasters are examples of potentially traumatic events that may result in PTSD. Following the incident, a person may re-experience the event in intrusive, distressing ways; for example, through dreams, flashbacks, or unwanted thoughts about the event. Also, attempts are made to avoid stimuli associated with the trauma, and people with PTSD often experience a general numbing, such as feelings of detachment from others, loss of interest in activities, and difficulty experiencing certain feelings, such as happiness.

Finally, people with PTSD often have symptoms of extreme arousal, such as startling easily, trouble sleeping and concentrating, and angry outbursts.