post-traumatic

American  

[pohst-truh-mat-ik, -traw-] / ˌpoʊst trəˈmæt ɪk, -trɔ- /

Also posttraumatic

adjective

1. occurring after physical or psychological trauma.

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Etymology

Origin of post-traumatic

First recorded in 1900–05; post- + traumatic

Example Sentences

This discovery challenges long-standing views that placed neurons at the center of fear processing and suggests new ways to approach conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

By the time patients seek therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, many have spent years suppressing their worst memories and avoiding the places and situations they associate with the most difficult moments of their lives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

And I am among the nearly 5 million U.S. veterans who receive service-connected disability compensation, of whom roughly a quarter have a mental health condition such as post-traumatic stress disorder as their primary disability.

From Slate • Feb. 19, 2026

Defense lawyers Brian Klein and Axel contended in court filings that Puig, who is from Cuba, was confused because of his language barrier and a dual diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

You talk about Vietnam, and there was this whole history of post-traumatic stress syndrome, and I think that’s what we’re seeing now.

From "Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago" by LeAlan Jones