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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Definition

PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event, leading to severe anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Related terms

Acute Stress Disorder: This is a short-term condition that can develop after a person experiences a traumatic event. It has similar symptoms to PTSD but occurs immediately after the incident and lasts for a minimum of 2 days to a maximum of 4 weeks.

Flashbacks: These are intense, often distressing relivings of past traumatic events as if they were happening in real-time. They're one of the hallmark symptoms of PTSD.

Dissociation: This is a psychological experience where someone feels disconnected from their thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity. It's often used as a coping mechanism for trauma and can be experienced by those with PTSD.

"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)" appears in:

Study guides (1)

AP Psychology - 8.5 Trauma- and Stressor Related, Dissociative, and Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

Practice Questions (10)

What method could be beneficial when dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients?
What form of therapy will best serve a client suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), given that they continually relive traumatic experiences?
A client has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a car accident; which therapeutic approach would be most suitable?
Which psychological theory best explains why a person might develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing a traumatic event?
Which explanation best describes how trauma can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
What ethical concern might arise when using exposure therapy to treat a patient with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Why could Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) be seen as more than just an anxiety disorder?
What therapeutic approach should be avoided while treating Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to its focus on the past experiences rather than on present experiences?
How does the biopsychosocial approach explain the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans?
Which therapeutic approach would be best suited for someone suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

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