Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological illness. People with the disorder repeatedly remember, relive, or dream about a terrible experience. The disorder may result from experiencing or witnessing a natural disaster, warfare, a personal assault, or any other violent or life-threatening incident. Many soldiers involved in combat develop the disorder. For this reason, it was formerly known as battle fatigue, combat fatigue, or shell shock.
A person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experiences symptoms for more than one month following a psychological trauma (severely upsetting event). The chief symptoms of PTSD include repeated dreams, memories, and flashbacks (vivid, involuntary recollections) of the incident. Other symptoms include sleeplessness, difficulty concentrating, and being easily startled. Emotional signs include feelings of anger, fear, helplessness, or guilt. Some patients develop emotional numbness and feelings of isolation from others. Children may show restlessness, repeat the trauma in play, or have frequent nightmares.
PTSD may persist for many years. Some people held as prisoners of war or concentration camp inmates during World War II (1939-1945) showed symptoms of the condition more than 50 years later. Treatment of PTSD involves psychotherapy and, often, medication. Prompt treatment following the trauma may help prevent PTSD or lessen its severity.
