The Basics
Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate � �
What is post-traumatic stress disorder? " � Post-traumatic stress disorder, or "PTSD, " � is a condition that can happen after people see or live through a trauma. A trauma is an intense event that involves serious injury or death, or the chance of serious injury or death. This can include medical events, such as a heart attack or surgery. PTSD can cause nightmares, upsetting memories, anxiety, and other symptoms. � �
Not everyone who sees or lives through a trauma will get PTSD. Doctors do not know why some people get PTSD and others don 't. � �
PTSD can happen at any age. � �
What are the symptoms of PTSD? " � The symptoms of PTSD include: � �
- Reliving the trauma through thoughts and feelings " � People can have upsetting memories, nightmares, or flashbacks. Flashbacks are when people "see " � or feel the trauma over and over again.
- Feeling "numb " � and avoiding certain people or places " � People avoid thinking about the trauma and avoid people and places that remind them of it. Some people also feel "numb. " � They might not enjoy activities they used to enjoy or feel part of the world around them.
- Having intense feelings, such as anger, fear, or worry " � People might frighten or startle easily. Many people have trouble sleeping.
These symptoms can start right after the trauma. If they last longer than 3 days, they could be symptoms of a related condition called acute stress disorder (ASD). If they last longer than a month, they could be symptoms of PTSD. Sometimes, though, symptoms of PTSD start years later. The symptoms often affect a persons job, relationships, or daily life. � �
Symptoms of PTSD can come and go. They might return when people are under stress or see or hear something that reminds them of the trauma. � �
How can my doctor or nurse tell if I have PTSD? " � Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have it by learning about your symptoms, asking you questions, and doing an exam. � �
How is PTSD treated? " � PTSD is treated with one or both of the following: � �
- Medicines " � Doctors can use different types of medicines to treat PTSD. The right one for you will depend on your symptoms and the medicine's side effects. People usually start feeling better after they have been on medicine for a few weeks.
- A type of therapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy, or "CBT " � " � CBT involves meeting with a therapist to talk about your feelings and thoughts. Your therapist will do certain activities with you that can reduce your symptoms. Different types of therapists can do CBT, including psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers. You can work one-on-one with a therapist to have CBT. You can also have CBT as part of group therapy.
When should I get help? " � If you are having trouble coping because of your PTSD symptoms, you should do one or both of the following: � �
- See a doctor to start treatment with medicine
- See a therapist who is trained in CBT to start therapy
If you are thinking of hurting yourself, or if you feel that life isn't worth living, you should get help right away: � �
- If you see a therapist or doctor for your PTSD, call him or her right away.
- If you do not see a therapist or doctor, or if you can't reach him or her right away, call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room.
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 16594 Version 2.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 � �
� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �
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