• anxiety_

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

    Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety reaction that develops after a traumatic event that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm, such as

    • a car accident,
    • rape,
    • abuse,
    • train wrecks,
    • plane crashes or
    • natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.


    People suffering from PTSD may have been harmed or witnessed harmful events that happened to loved ones or even strangers.

    They may be easily frightened, become emotionally numb (especially in relation to people with whom they used to be close to), have irrational outbursts of anger and suffer from depression.

    They may also avoid situations that remind them of the original incident, and often find it very difficult to cope during anniversaries of the incident.

    Most people with PTSD also repeatedly relive the trauma in their thoughts during the day and in nightmares when they sleep. These are called flashbacks. Flashbacks may consist of images, sounds, smells or feelings, and are often triggered by ordinary occurrences, such as door slamming. A person experiencing a flashback may lose touch with reality and believe that the traumatic event is happening all over again.

    Not every traumatised person develops full-blown PTSD. Symptoms usually begin within three months of the event but may occasionally emerge years afterward. They must last more than a month to be considered PTSD. Some people recover within six months, while others experience symptoms that last much longer. In some people, the condition stays with them for life. Post-traumatic stress disorder can happen at any age, including childhood. Women are more likely to develop PTSD than men. It is often accompanied by depression, substance abuse, or one or more of the other anxiety disorders.

    If you suspect yourself, a friend or a family member of having PTSD, and you wish to get help, please click here.


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