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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

post-traumatic stress disorder

In Russia, phenibut is a prescription drug used to treat anxiety, insomnia, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other ailments.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026

We are here because one spring day in May, Joshua Fox, a 31-year-old Black disabled veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder and a checkered past, stood up and stress-tested Eatherly’s business model.

From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2026

I spent most of the great technology bubble laughing, but maybe I was left with post-traumatic stress disorder anyway.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

More than 170 people with post-traumatic stress disorder and frequent, severe nightmares took part.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 6, 2026

He married and had children, but his post-traumatic stress disorder continued to undermine his ability to manage his behavior.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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