Many of us either have or will experience some form of trauma during our lifetime. Often, we’re able to move on without any long-term effects. But for others, experiences of trauma linger, causing symptoms such as negative thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks that interfere with everyday activities.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric condition that affects millions of children and adults in the United States. PTSD occurs when an individual is unable to recover from a traumatic event and suffers intense thoughts and feelings related to their experience long after the traumatic event itself has ended. It is possible to live normally with PTSD.
Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop as a result of any stressful, frightening, or life-changing event. The most common causes of PTSD include serious accidents, physical or sexual assault, domestic abuse, and serious health problems.
People can develop PTSD at any given age. However, several risk factors may increase one’s likelihood of developing PTSD after a traumatic event, such as:
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The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder can be divided into four main categories:
PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time. One may experience more symptoms during moments of stress or reminders of past experiences.
Intrusive memories are experienced in the form of nightmares, flashbacks, and distressing images. These memories are generally experienced as a present threat without the awareness that they occurred in the past.
Avoidance is experienced by limiting thoughts or discussions about the traumatic event and avoiding places, activities, or people that remind you of the traumatic event.
They consist of negative thoughts, hopelessness, memory problems, detachment from relationships, and lack of interest in activities once enjoyed.
They consist of irritability, self-destructive behavior, lack of sleep, overwhelming guilt or shame, and lack of concentration.
Anyone can develop PTSD. This includes children, veterans, and individuals who have been through an assault, disaster, or another serious event. Most people will develop symptoms within three months of their trauma, but symptoms may appear later and often persist for months and sometimes even years.
To be diagnosed with PTSD, it's required that you’ve received exposure to one or more traumatic events involving the possibility of death, serious injury, or violence. Your doctor may perform a physical examination and psychological evaluation to determine signs, symptoms, and the event(s) that lead up to them.
If you or someone you know has one or more symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, the first step to being diagnosed is to visit a medical professional or psychiatrist. Tell your doctor what signs you have noticed, and ask them for guidance and next steps. After evaluating your symptoms and medical history, your doctor may order several neuroimaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT), to rule out other conditions that might be mistaken with PTSD.
There are numerous resources to help manage symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Treatment for PTSD involves medication and psychotherapy.
Although there is no definitive cure for post-traumatic stress disorder, there are numerous ways to reduce symptoms and distress related to the condition as research leads to safer, more innovative treatments. If you believe someone you love or know may suffer from PTSD, alert them of your concerns immediately. Seek medical attention from a medical professional at TeleMed2U and consult virtually with a number of our psychiatrists, all from the comfort of your home.
Medically reviewed by:
Dr Roy Kedem started his premedical studies at Harvard, and research in genetics and gene sequencing at Harvard, Beth Israel. He attended medical school in the UK at the Cambridge Overseas Medical Program in 1998. Dr Kedem then completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in Stamford, Connecticut and his fellowship in Hospital Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
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