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| '''Posttraumatic stress disorder''' ('''PTSD''') is a [[mental disorder]] that can develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event, such as sexual assault, warfare, traffic collisions, child abuse, or other threats on a person's life. Symptoms may include disturbing thoughts, feelings, or dreams related to the events, mental or physical distress to trauma-related cues, attempts to avoid trauma-related cues, alterations in how a person thinks and feels, and an increase in the fight-or-flight response. These symptoms last for more than a month after the event. Young children are less likely to show distress but instead may express their memories through play.
| | #REDIRECT [[Posttraumatic stress disorder]] |
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| == Symptoms ==
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| PTSD symptoms can generally be grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Symptoms can vary over time or vary from person to person.
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| === Intrusive memories ===
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| Symptoms of intrusive memories may include:
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| * Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
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| * Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again ([[flashbacks]])
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| * Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event
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| * Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event
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| === Avoidance ===
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| Symptoms of avoidance may include:
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| * Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
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| * Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event
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| === Negative changes in thinking and mood ===
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| Symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:
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| * Negative feelings about yourself or other people
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| * Inability to experience positive emotions
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| * Feeling emotionally numb
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| * Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
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| * Hopelessness about the future
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| * Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
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| * Difficulty maintaining close relationships
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| === Changes in physical and emotional reactions ===
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| Symptoms of changes in physical and emotional reactions (also called arousal symptoms) may include:
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| * Being easily startled or frightened
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| * Always being on guard for danger
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| * Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
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| * Trouble sleeping
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| * Trouble concentrating
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| * Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior
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| * Overwhelming guilt or shame
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| == Causes ==
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| PTSD is believed to be caused by experiencing any of a wide range of events which produces intense negative feelings of "fear, helplessness, or horror" in the observer or participant. Sources of such feelings may include (but are not limited to):
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| * Experiencing or witnessing childhood or adult physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
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| * Experiencing or witnessing physical assault, adult experiences of sexual assault, accidents, drug addiction, illnesses, medical complications.
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| * Employment in occupations exposed to war (such as soldiers) or disaster (such as emergency service workers).
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| * Getting a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness.
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| == Treatment ==
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| Treatment for PTSD may involve therapeutic methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, and exposure therapy. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help manage symptoms.
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| == See also ==
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| * [[Anxiety disorder]]
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| * [[Cognitive behavioral therapy]]
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| * [[Exposure therapy]]
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| * [[Group therapy]]
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| == References ==
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| <references />
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| [[Category:Mental health]]
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| [[Category:Psychiatry]]
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| [[Category:Psychology]]
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| [[Category:Stress]]
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| {{stub}}
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