Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that develops after exposure to a traumatic event that causes intense fear or horror or helplessness.

• PTSD is characterized by four main symptom clusters: intrusion symptoms; avoidance symptoms; negative alterations in cognition and mood; and alterations in arousal and reactivity.

• Intrusion symptoms are recurrent and involuntary and intrusive memories or dreams flashbacks or distressing thoughts or feelings related to the traumatic event.

• Avoidance symptoms are persistent and deliberate efforts to avoid or escape from reminders of the traumatic event such as people or places objects activities situations thoughts or feelings.

• Negative alterations in cognition and mood are persistent and pervasive changes in the way one thinks or feels about oneself others or the world after the traumatic event such as negative beliefs or expectations of self-blame guilt shame anger or fear; diminished interest or participation in activities; detachment or estrangement from others; inability to experience positive emotions.

• Alterations in arousal and reactivity are persistent and excessive increases in one’s level of alertness or responsiveness after the traumatic event such as irritability or aggression; recklessness or impulsivity; hypervigilance; exaggerated startle response; difficulty concentrating; and difficulty sleeping.