PTSD Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Basic Information
By Matthew Tull, PhD, About.com Guide
- PTSD and the Military
- Anxiety Disorders and PTSD
- Other Disorders Associated with PTSD
- PTSD and Physical Health
What is PTSD?
Learn basic information on PTSD, including its symptoms, how it is diagnosed, myths, and how often it is seen in the general population.
- An Overview of PTSD
- The Fight or Flight Syndrome
- How Common is PTSD?
- Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Occurrence of PTSD
Symptoms of PTSD
Many different symptoms make up a PTSD diagnosis. In addition, PTSD can often be associated with other psychological symptoms, such as guilt.
- An Overview of PTSD Symptoms
- The Purpose of Anxiety
- Re-experiencing Symptoms
- Avoidance Symptoms
- Dissociation
- Emotional Avoidance
- Emotional Numbing Symptoms
- Flashbacks
- Guilt and Survivor Guilt
- Hyperarousal Symptoms
- PTSD and the Brain
- The Experience of Anger in PTSD
- Sleep Problems in PTSD
What Causes PTSD?
Learn about the risk factors for and the types of traumatic events that often lead to the development of PTSD.
- An Overview of Traumatic Events Connected to PTSD
- Risk Factors for PTSD
- Reducing Risk for PTSD After a Traumatic Event
- Rates of PTSD Due to Sexual Assault
- Risk Factors For and Consequences of Sexual Assault
- What Symptoms Can Develop After a Rape?
- Rates of PTSD Following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
- The Long-Term Effect of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks
- Rates of PTSD in Firefighters
- PTSD From Community Violence
- The Psychological Effects of Hurricane Katrina
- The Effect of Hurricane Katrina among People with Mental Illness
- The Effect of Hurricane Katrina on Children
- The Effect of Hurricane Katrina on Displaced Students
- The Psychological Impact of the 2004 Tsunami
- Preventing School Violence: What Has Been Done Since Columbine
- Anxiety Sensitivity and PTSD
The Diagnosis of PTSD
A number of specific criteria must be met in order to receive a diagnosis of PTSD. Get information here on how a person becomes diagnosed with PTSD.
- How is PTSD Diagnosed?
- The Diagnosis Procedure: What to Expect
- Who Should You Meet With About Your PTSD?
- The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders
PTSD and the Family
PTSD can have a major impact on the family. Get information on how PTSD may influence family members.
- PTSD in Children
- PTSD Among Childhood Cancer Survivors and Their Parents
- The Effect of Trauma on Attachment
- Stress in Children of Iraq War Soldiers
- Risk for PTSD in Children After 9/11
- PTSD and Relationship Violence
PTSD and the Military
PTSD is quite common in military populations. Military soldiers are at heightened risk for PTSD due to combat exposure, and women in the military in particular may be at greater risk for sexual trauma.
- Overview of PTSD in the Military
- Information for Returning Veterans
- Traumatic Brain Injuries and Mental Health Problems in Veterans
- PTSD in Veterans From World War II On
- Consequences of Chronic PTSD in Vietnam Veterans
- PTSD in Veterans of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom
- Vulnerability for PTSD in Veterans
- Military Sexual Trauma
- Military Sexual Trauma and the Iraq War
- Military Sexual Trauma in Men
- PTSD and Anger among Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans
- Physical Health of Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans
- The Relationship between a Veteran's Homecoming and Stress
- Smoking in Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans
- Alcohol Abuse in Veterans
- Suicide in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom Veterans
- Suicide Hotline Just for Veterans
- Resources for Returning Veterans
- The Real Warriors Campaign: A Resource for Veterans
- Pain in OEF/OIF Veterans
Anxiety Disorders and PTSD
Anxiety disorders commonly co-occur with PTSD. Learn more about the rates of anxiety disorders among people with PTSD.
- PTSD and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- PTSD and Social Anxiety Disorder
- PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder
Other Disorders Associated with PTSD
Besides anxiety disorders, a number of other difficulties often co-occur with PTSD, including depression and substance use disorders. Conditions that are often associated with PTSD are described in more detail here.
- Consequences of PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder
- PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder
- PTSD and Deliberate Self-Harm
- PTSD and Impulsive Behaviors
- PTSD and Depression
- PTSD and Dissociative Disorders
- PTSD and Drug and Alcohol Use
- PTSD and Psychotic Symptoms
- PTSD and Smoking
- PTSD and Suicide
- PTSD, Childhood Abuse, and Self-Harm in Adolescents
- PTSD, Trauma, and Eating Disorders
- Substance Use as Self-Medication
- PTSD and Anger
PTSD and Physical Health
People with PTSD have been found to be at greater risk for a number of physical health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Learn more about the role of PTSD in these problems.
