Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a cluster of problems that arise after a person has been exposed to something frightening, threatening, and/or violent.  People with PTSD often feel like they are “re-experiencing” the traumatic event in some way, try to stay away from thoughts or situations that remind them of the trauma, may be very jumpy or feel they have to be “on guard” all the time and have negative views of themselves and the world. Key symptoms include: 

• Intrusion symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, or physical symptoms when reminded of the trauma
• Persistent avoidance of stimuli that remind them of the trauma
• Negative changes in emotions or thoughts/beliefs as a result of the trauma
• Changes in arousal or reactivity (e.g., irritability, hypervigilance, recklessness)