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

See Examples For:

post-traumatic stress disorder

In addition to winning him the hand of Desdemona, they have left an invisible scar behind, a grievous case of post-traumatic stress disorder.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

The court heard the teenager was seen by a psychiatrist who diagnosed him as having autism spectrum disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

From BBC ● May 6, 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

Some local residents have long pressed leaders to act, saying that intrusive noise could worsen post-traumatic stress disorder and other ailments.

From Salon ● Apr. 27, 2026

I discussed Dante's prior diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder following the attempted murder of his mother in my oral argument before the Mississippi Supreme Court.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson