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Overview

What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. This posttraumatic stress condition can affect people of any age. Symptoms may begin soon after the event or appear months or years later, and they can affect thoughts, feelings, behavior and daily life.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Re-experiencing the trauma

  • Unwanted, distressing memories of the traumatic event may return repeatedly.
  • Nightmares may involve the trauma or bring up related fear and distress.
  • Flashbacks can make a person feel as though the traumatic event is happening again.
  • Strong emotional reactions may occur when something reminds a person of the trauma.
  • Physical reactions, such as a racing heart or sweating, may occur after a trauma reminder.

Other symptom groups

  • Avoidance may involve staying away from people, places, activities or conversations related to the trauma.
  • A person may have trouble remembering important parts of the traumatic event.
  • Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities can occur.
  • Persistent guilt, shame, fear, anger or negative beliefs about oneself may develop.
  • Feeling emotionally numb or detached from other people is possible.
  • Difficulty feeling happiness, love or other positive emotions may occur.
  • Being constantly watchful for danger (hypervigilance) can make it hard to relax.
  • An exaggerated startle response may occur when a person hears a sudden sound or experiences an unexpected movement.
  • Irritability or angry outbursts can affect relationships and daily activities.
  • Trouble sleeping may occur, including difficulty falling or staying asleep.
  • Difficulty concentrating can interfere with work, school or other tasks.
  • Children may reenact parts of the trauma through play or show new fears, clinginess or physical complaints.
  • People with complex post stress disorder may also have ongoing problems with emotional regulation, self-worth and relationships after repeated or prolonged trauma.

How It Happens

How Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Happens

PTSD may follow actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence, including abuse, combat, disasters, accidents or witnessing trauma happen to someone else. Feeling upset, frightened or unsettled after a traumatic event is common and does not automatically mean a person has PTSD. PTSD develops when symptoms persist or become severe enough to interfere with daily life, relationships, work or school.

Risk Factors

Risk Factors for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

  • Repeated, prolonged or especially severe traumatic experiences may increase the likelihood of PTSD.
  • Having experienced trauma earlier in life, especially during childhood, can increase vulnerability.
  • A history of depression, anxiety or another mental health condition may raise risk.
  • Limited emotional or practical support after a traumatic event may make recovery more difficult.
  • Ongoing stress, unsafe living conditions or continued exposure to danger can increase risk.
  • Childhood adversity, neglect or abuse may affect how a person responds to later trauma.
  • Work involving regular exposure to trauma, such as military, emergency or healthcare work, may increase risk.
  • Physical injury, chronic pain or sleep problems after trauma may add to distress.

Some factors, such as past trauma, childhood experiences and occupational exposure, cannot be changed, while others may be addressed with support. Access to safe housing, trusted relationships and timely treatment for PTSD or coexisting conditions can help. Reducing ongoing danger and limiting alcohol or drug use may also support recovery. However, PTSD can develop in someone without known risk factors, and no factor guarantees that a person will develop it.

Complications

Complications of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

  • Depression may occur alongside PTSD and can worsen low mood, hopelessness or loss of interest.
  • Anxiety may cause persistent fear, worry or physical tension.
  • Alcohol or drug use may become a way of trying to manage distress.
  • Ongoing sleep problems can affect mood, concentration and physical health.
  • Chronic pain may occur with or become harder to manage alongside PTSD.
  • Social isolation may develop when a person withdraws from family, friends or activities.
  • Relationship difficulties may result from irritability, emotional numbness or avoidance.
  • Problems at work or school may occur because of poor concentration, sleep loss or distress.

GET HELP NOW

Safety concerns need immediate attention

Suicidal thoughts, urges to self-harm or feeling unable to stay safe require immediate crisis or emergency help. Go to the Crisis Support for PTSD section for urgent guidance.

Diagnosis

How Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Is Diagnosed

A clinician diagnoses PTSD through a confidential mental health evaluation. They may ask about the traumatic experience, symptoms, when they began, how long they have lasted, and how they affect daily life, relationships, work or school. The clinician may also ask about safety, medications, substance use and other health conditions, but you can share only what you feel ready to discuss.

Treatment & Management

Treatment and Management for PTSD

TRAUMA-FOCUSED THERAPY

Prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy help people safely address trauma memories, reminders and beliefs that keep symptoms going. Treatment is paced with a trained clinician and adapted to the person’s needs.

EMDR

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) helps a person process traumatic memories while using guided attention and other structured techniques. It may be appropriate when recommended by a qualified mental health professional.

Medication and ongoing care

  • A psychiatrist, primary care clinician or other qualified prescriber may consider antidepressants or other medicines based on symptoms and overall health.
  • Medication response, side effects, sleep, mood and safety should be monitored with the prescribing clinician.
  • Do not stop a prescribed medicine suddenly without medical advice because symptoms or withdrawal effects may occur.
  • Keeping a regular sleep schedule can support mood, concentration and stress regulation.
  • Trusted support from family, friends, peer groups or a therapist can reduce isolation.
  • Grounding skills, such as noticing the senses and the immediate surroundings, may help during distress.
  • Treating depression, anxiety, pain, substance use or other coexisting conditions can improve overall functioning.
  • Reducing alcohol or drug use may help prevent worsening sleep, mood and trauma symptoms.

Outlook and Prognosis

Outlook and Prognosis for PTSD

PTSD is treatable, and symptoms may improve substantially with appropriate support and care. Some people have symptoms that fluctuate or return during periods of stress, while others continue to have symptoms for a longer time. There is no fixed recovery time, but earlier support can help people regain stability and functioning.

Crisis Support

Crisis Support for PTSD

IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER

Get emergency help now

Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department if you may harm yourself or someone else, cannot stay safe, have severe confusion or are in immediate danger. In the United States or Canada, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; elsewhere, contact your local crisis line or emergency services.

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