traumatic stress
Quick Summary
Traumatic stress, often leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a psychological reaction to an event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence. This can manifest as intense fear, helplessness, or horror.12
Key characteristics of PTSD include:
* Re-experiencing the trauma: Through upsetting thoughts, memories, or flashbacks.1
* Emotional numbing: A general feeling of detachment.1
* Increased vigilance and anxiety: A heightened state of alertness.1
* Avoidance: Steering clear of reminders of the trauma, such as situations, thoughts, or feelings.1
These reactions are considered PTSD symptoms if they persist for at least a month or have a delayed onset. PTSD can co-occur with depression, anxiety, and drug abuse. While experiencing stress is common, an estimated 10% of women and 5% of men develop PTSD. The risk varies by trauma type, with sexual assault being a significant cause for women and combat exposure for men. Brain imaging studies show altered activity in specific brain regions in individuals with PTSD, potentially affecting memory recall and emotional regulation. Effective treatments include antidepressant medication and trauma reexposure therapy.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
