Published: 18 Jun 2025

ICD9: 309.81      ICD10: F43      ICD11: 6B40

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it.
It's a persistent and distressing reaction to trauma. It's important to remember that not everyone who experiences a traumatic event develops PTSD.

Here's a breakdown of key aspects of PTSD:

Causes:

Traumatic Events: PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing events like:
Combat exposure
Natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, floods)
Terrorist attacks
Serious accidents
Physical or sexual assault
Childhood abuse or neglect
Threat of death
Sudden death of a loved one

Symptoms:

Symptoms of PTSD typically fall into four main categories:

1. Intrusion: Reliving the traumatic event through:
Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories: These memories can feel very real and vivid.
Nightmares: Distressing dreams related to the trauma.
Flashbacks: Feeling like the event is happening again in the present moment, sometimes with a loss of touch with reality.
Intense psychological or physiological reactions to reminders of the trauma: This could include feeling anxious, panicked, or having a physical reaction (e.g., racing heart, sweating) when exposed to things that trigger memories of the event (e.g., a specific sound, smell, image).

2. Avoidance: Trying to avoid reminders of the trauma, including:
Avoiding thoughts, feelings, or conversations associated with the trauma.
Avoiding places, people, activities, objects, or situations that trigger memories of the trauma.

3. Negative Alterations in Cognitions and Mood: Negative thoughts and feelings that started or worsened after the trauma, such as:
Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world: Examples include: "I can't trust anyone," "The world is a dangerous place," "I'm a bad person."
Persistent negative emotional state: Feeling fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame.
Diminished interest or participation in significant activities.
Feeling detached or estranged from others.
Inability to experience positive emotions.

4. Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity: Increased reactivity and arousal, which can manifest as:
Irritability or aggressive behavior.
Reckless or self-destructive behavior.
Hypervigilance: Being constantly on guard and alert to potential dangers.
Exaggerated startle response: Being easily startled.
Difficulty concentrating.
Sleep disturbance (insomnia or difficulty staying asleep).

Diagnosis:

A diagnosis of PTSD requires that the symptoms:
Last for more than one month.
Cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Are not due to the effects of medication, substance use, or another medical condition.
A mental health professional (e.g., psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed therapist) makes the diagnosis based on clinical interviews, standardized questionnaires, and evaluation of the individual's symptoms.

Risk Factors:

While anyone can develop PTSD after a traumatic event, certain factors can increase the risk:

History of prior trauma or mental health problems.
Lack of social support after the event.
The severity and duration of the trauma.
Having little control over what happened.
Feeling intense fear, helplessness, or horror during the event.
Family history of mental health disorders, including PTSD.
Certain personality characteristics.

Treatment:

PTSD is treatable, and effective treatments are available. Common approaches include:

Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy):
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE): Involves gradually exposing the individual to trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations to reduce anxiety and fear.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Uses guided eye movements to help process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): Specifically designed for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma.
Medications:
Antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs): Can help manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleep problems that often accompany PTSD.
Prazosin: Can help reduce nightmares.
Lifestyle changes:
Exercise: Can help reduce stress and improve mood.
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Can help manage anxiety and improve sleep.
Healthy diet: Can improve overall well-being.
Support groups: Connecting with others who have experienced trauma can provide a sense of community and reduce feelings of isolation.

Important Considerations:

Early Intervention: Seeking help early after a traumatic event can prevent PTSD from developing or becoming chronic.
Individualized Treatment: The best treatment approach is tailored to the individual's specific needs and symptoms.
Recovery is Possible: With appropriate treatment and support, individuals with PTSD can experience significant improvement in their symptoms and quality of life.
Stigma: It's important to reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions and encourage people to seek help when they need it.

If you think you or someone you know may have PTSD, it's crucial to consult with a mental health professional for assessment and treatment. You can find resources and support through organizations like the National Center for PTSD, the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).