post-traumatic stress disorder

American  

[pohst-truh-mat-ik stres dis-awr-der, -traw-] / ˌpoʊst trəˈmæt ɪk ˈstrɛs dɪsˌɔr dər, -trɔ- /

noun

Psychiatry.

1. a mental disorder occurring after an extremely distressing, stressful, or frightening event, and characterized by symptoms such as reliving the event, avoidance of anything that is a reminder of the event, withdrawal from social interactions or previous activities, and an increase in feelings of anxiety, anger, sadness, shame, or guilt. PTSD

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post-traumatic stress disorder British  

noun

1.  PTSD.  a psychological condition, characterized by anxiety, withdrawal, and a proneness to physical illness, that may follow a traumatic experience

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Etymology

Origin of post-traumatic stress disorder

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

One asked whether she had experienced post-traumatic stress disorder.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

I still suffer from nightmares and post-traumatic stress disorder.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

Kylie Jenner is sued by a former housekeeper who says she has post-traumatic stress disorder after ‘severe harassment’ from fellow staff while working for the beauty mogul.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

One of them said she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

His colleagues at LiNK worried that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden