Over the course of a lifetime, as many as seven out of ten adults in the United States will directly experience or witness traumatic events such as gun violence, car accidents, and other personal traumas; natural or human-made disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 terrorist attacks; and military combat. And some — though not all — will experience post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
New guidelines released in 2024 can help guide effective treatment.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a potentially debilitating mental health condition. It’s marked by recurrent, frightening episodes during which a person relives a traumatic event.
After a disturbing event, it’s normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, and have trouble sleeping. For most people, these symptoms fade over time. But when certain symptoms persist for more than a month, a person may be experiencing PTSD.
These symptoms include
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