Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is post-traumatic stress disorder? " пїЅ Post-traumatic stress disorder, or "PTSD, " пїЅ 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. пїЅ пїЅ

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. пїЅ пїЅ

PTSD can happen at any age. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of PTSD? " пїЅ The symptoms of PTSD include: пїЅ пїЅ

Reliving the trauma through thoughts and feelings " пїЅ People can have upsetting memories, nightmares, or flashbacks. Flashbacks are when people "see " пїЅ or feel the trauma over and over again.
Feeling "numb " пїЅ and avoiding certain people or places " пїЅ People avoid thinking about the trauma and avoid people and places that remind them of it. Some people also feel "numb. " пїЅ 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 " пїЅ 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. пїЅ пїЅ

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. пїЅ пїЅ

How can my doctor or nurse tell if I have PTSD? " пїЅ 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. пїЅ пїЅ

How is PTSD treated? " пїЅ PTSD is treated with one or both of the following: пїЅ пїЅ

Medicines " пїЅ 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 " пїЅ " пїЅ 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? " пїЅ If you are having trouble coping because of your PTSD symptoms, you should do one or both of the following: пїЅ пїЅ

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: пїЅ пїЅ

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. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 16594 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

Copyright