Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD
is a mental disorder that people may develop after experiencing traumatic events. Here are some of the symptoms of PTSD:

  • Intrusive memories associated with traumatic events (e.g., flashbacks, distressing dreams, intense distress when expose to cues associated with trauma)
  • Avoidance (e.g., avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event; avoid people, situations, objects, activities, conversation, places that are associated with traumatic event)
  • Cognitive and mood changes (e.g., inability to remember traumatic event, distorted beliefs, persistently feeling negative emotions, feelings of detachment, loss of interest, inability to feel positive emotions,
  • Alterations in arousal and reactivity (hypervigilance, reckless, exaggerated startle response, reduced concentration, sleep disturbance, irritable, etc.)

Other assessments are required to exclude possibility of other physical or medical conditions before diagnosis is made. If you think you or your beloved ones have PTSD, seek help.

Reference: National Institute of Mental Health, 2016; American Psychiatric Association, 2013