Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat. more>>
Signs & SymptomsPeople with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal and feel emotionally numb, especially with people they were once close to. They may experience sleep problems, feel detached or numb, or be easily startled. more>>
TreatmentEffective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder are available, and research is yielding new, improved therapies that can help most people with PTSD and other anxiety disorders lead productive, fulfilling lives. more>>
Getting Help: Locate ServicesLocate mental health services in your area, affordable healthcare, NIMH clinical trials, and listings of professionals and organizations. more>>
Related Information- Information on Coping with Traumatic Events
- Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Parents Can Do
- Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Community Members Can Do
- Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Rescue Workers Can Do
- Children and Violence
- Information about medications
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Information and Organizations from <abbr title="National Library of Medicine">NLM</abbr>'s MedlinePlus (en Español)
- Some mental illnesses also carry an increased risk for suicide.
- Experience Sculpts Brain Circuitry to Build Resiliency to Stress
- Mice Lacking Social Memory Molecule Take Bullying in Stride
- PTSD, Depression Epidemic Among Cambodian Immigrants
Read, print, or order NIMH booklets, fact sheets, and other publications on post-traumatic stress disorder such as:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Real Illness
An easy-to-read booklet on post-traumatic stress disorder that explains what it is, when it starts, how long it lasts, and how to get help—includes a self-test.
Anxiety Disorders
A detailed booklet that describes the symptoms, causes, and treatments, of the major anxiety disorders, with information on getting help and coping.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Research Fact Sheet: A summary of NIMH research into PTSD
- Clinical Trials: Current Studies on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Search MEDLINE's PubMed for recent research articles on PTSD.
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Comments: 21
I have it from verbal abuse as a child growing up.
((((((Hugs to anyone who has PSTD))))))
I guess since I lost my son, I am centered in on losing a child. I will broaden my article.
Thank you for your comments.
Several of the comments here reflect that fact.
To be diagnosed with PTSD the symptoms have to be severe enough to interfere significantly with living and for a long or critical period of time. All trauma is remembered, it becomes a problem when the recalling of the trauma overwhelms most or all of other recollections or new thoughts.
Check out this article about Childhood Traumatic Grief:
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977026775
I hope you are OK.
I wonder if the deceased get lower rates...
Lisa - there are many reasons that people who are abused downplay the abuse. For one, frequently, the abusers downplay the abuse to them (aren't you glad that I only split your lip? There are people who are really abused whose bones are broken.), and sometimes the only way to emotionally survive the abuse is to tell yourself "It wasn't that bad... the bruises will fade, the bones will heal..." If you stop to take account of it all as its happening, you would either kill your abuser or die from the pain of it all. It's okay to admit that it was terrible, it's a big part of the healing process.
Sue, I also have had the EMDR therapy with great success. It really makes a difference when you can share your experiences.