PTSD

American  

[pee-tee-es-dee] / ˈpiˈtiˈɛsˈdi /

abbreviation

1. post-traumatic stress disorder: 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.

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PTSD British  

abbreviation

1. post-traumatic stress disorder

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Compare meaning

How does ptsd compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• shell shock vs. PTSD

Example Sentences

But he said he can’t simply blame his son, who had been hospitalized several times since returning from a military deployment, diagnosed with PTSD.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

The changes stemmed in part from a desire to help disabled veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with conditions such as PTSD.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Lead author Dr. Jack Wilson from the University of Sydney's Matilda Centre said the results raise serious questions about approving medicinal cannabis for conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2026

But the research shows that for many who are diagnosed with PTSD, the condition arises not from what was done to us but what we did—or what we failed to prevent.

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2026

Dad said she had post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas