posttraumatic stress disorder

Scientific  

/ pōst′trô-măt′ĭk,-trou- /

1. A psychological disorder affecting individuals who have experienced or witnessed profoundly traumatic events, such as torture, murder, rape, or wartime combat, characterized by recurrent flashbacks of the traumatic event, nightmares, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, forgetfulness, and social withdrawal.

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posttraumatic stress disorder Cultural  

1. A psychological disorder in which a person continues to respond with distress to a traumatic event long after that event has occurred. The affected person may reexperience the event in their thoughts or dreams and exhibit a heightened state of arousal characteristic of extreme stress. Combat and rape are two of the most common causes of this disorder.

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PTSD was formalized as a disorder after the Vietnam War, when returning soldiers would often continue to show the signs of stress long after they had left the military.

Example Sentences

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posttraumatic stress disorder

Zack’s lawyers sought to stop the execution, arguing he is a victim of fetal alcohol syndrome and posttraumatic stress disorder.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 2, 2023

Implanted stimulation devices are also being studied for other conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression.

From Science Magazine ● Jan. 18, 2022

Bruised brains trigger "persistent stress-hormone releases" that can cause posttraumatic stress disorder.

From Time ● Aug. 22, 2010

That concern drove Culpepper to help develop the M3, a single-page checklist that takes less than 10 minutes to complete and that flags depression, bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and anxiety disorders.

From Newsweek ● Apr. 13, 2010

"Many are still suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder."

From Time Magazine Archive