Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops after an individual has experienced, witnessed, or learned about a traumatic event.
About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
A traumatic event is an experience characterized by extreme stress or fear. Most people will undergo a traumatic event in their life, and a majority of traumatized people recover after a couple of months. If you continue to struggle with stress and fear long after the traumatic event, this may be sign of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People of all ages and backgrounds can develop PTSD following a broad range of traumatic experiences that include: physical/sexual assault, abuse, natural disasters, intense situations during military service, and more.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Trauma symptoms often manifest shortly after the traumatic event, but they may not appear until years afterward.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder may include:
- Avoiding situations that allow memories of the traumatic event to resurface
- Guilt or other negative feelings about yourself or others
- Increased irritability
- Memory difficulties, particularly related to the traumatic event
- Re-experiencing the traumatic event
- Sleep difficulties and/or nightmares
Risk Factors for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Not all people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event develop PTSD; certain people may be more susceptible to the condition.
Risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder may include:
- Comorbid conditions: Individuals with a history of mental illness or substance abuse may be more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event
- Experience of the event: If one’s experience of the traumatic event involved pain or extreme feelings of fear or helplessness, they may be more likely to develop PTSD
- Personal history: Additional stresses and a lack of social support following the traumatic event make PTSD more likely, as does previous trauma
Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder at UT Medicine
PTSD can be treated with psychotherapy, medication (e.g., antidepressants), or a combination of the two. Your clinician will work with you to determine the best course of treatment.
