Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition that can affect a person who has experienced or even just seen a life-threatening, violent and terrifying event like a natural disaster, assault, or military combat. Although the condition was first described in soldiers, it can develop in anybody. Post-traumatic stress disorder is not uncommon; it affects roughly 3.5 percent of adults in the US. About one out of 11 people will develop PTSD during their lifetime.
The symptoms of PTSD fall into four broad categories: 1) intrusive thoughts like nightmares or flashbacks, 2) avoidance of anything that reminds of them of the trauma, 3) negative feelings and thoughts, and 4) hyperarousal or reaction. The last group of symptoms includes hyper vigilance, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and reckless or self-destructive behavior.
