Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Definition

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a real illness. You can get PTSD
after living through or seeing a traumatic event, such as war, a
hurricane, rape, physical abuse or a bad accident. PTSD makes you feel
stressed and afraid after the danger is over. It affects your life and
the people around you.

PTSD Can Cause:

• Flashbacks, or feeling like the event is happening again
  
• Trouble sleeping or nightmares
  
• Feeling alone
  
• Angry outbursts
  
• Feeling worried, guilty or sad
  

PTSD starts at different times for different people. Signs of PTSD may
start soon after a frightening event and then continue. Other people
develop new or more severe signs months or even years later. PTSD can
happen to anyone, even children.

Possible Treatments

Medicines can help you feel less afraid and tense. It might take a few
weeks for them to work. Talking to a specially trained doctor or
counselor also helps many people with PTSD. This is called talk therapy.