Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by extremely stressful, frightening, or distressing events.
Symptoms of PTSD
People with PTSD often relive the traumatic event through nightmares or flashbacks.
They may also experience feelings of isolation, irritability, and guilt.
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Other common symptoms include insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and a heightened sense of anxiety.
These symptoms can be severe and persistent, significantly affecting a person’s daily life.
Causes of PTSD
PTSD can be caused by any event that a person perceives as traumatic, such as:
– Serious road accidents
– Violent personal assaults (e.g., sexual assault, mugging, or robbery)
– Severe health problems
– Traumatic childbirth experiences
PTSD may develop immediately after a traumatic event, or it can emerge weeks, months, or even years later.
It’s estimated that about 1 in 3 people who experience trauma will develop PTSD, although the exact reasons why some individuals develop the condition and others do not remain unclear.