post-traumatic stress disorder

[ pohst-truh-mat-ik stres dis-awr-der, -traw- ]

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

post-traumatic stress disorder

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of post-traumatic stress disorder¹

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

She had only heard of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, in passing.

From The Daily Beast

This crisis adds to the core of war trauma, and the possibility of ensuing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

From The Daily Beast

He is the author of The Evil Hours: A Biography of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).

From The Daily Beast

The narratives born from the Fort Hood shooting clung desperately to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

From The Daily Beast

He may have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, though there is no proof of this yet.

From The Daily Beast