


The American Psychiatric Association defines PTSD as a psychiatric disorder that can occur
when an individual witnesses or experiences a traumatic experience such as a natural disaster,
a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, rape or other violent personal assault
Intrusion symptoms
Avoidance
Negative changes in thoughts & feelings
Changes in arousal & reactivity
What is PTSD?
PTSD symptoms fall in in four broad categories:


INTRUSION SYMPTOMS
Intrusions are repeated, involuntary memories, distressing
dreams, or flashbacks of the traumatic event.
Flashbacks may be so vivid that people feel they are re-living
the traumatic experience.


AVOIDANCE
These symptoms may include avoiding people, places, activities,
objects, and situations that bring on distressing memories.
People may try to avoid remembering or thinking about the traumatic event.
They may also resist talking about what happened or how they feel about it.


NEGATIVE CHANGES IN THOUGHTS & FEELINGS
Individuals may have the following symptoms:
Distorted beliefs about oneself, others, or the world
Feelings of ongoing fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame
Much less interest in activities they previously enjoyed
Feelings of being detached or estranged from others
(e.g., "I am bad," "No one can be trusted")


CHANGES IN AROUSAL & REACTIVITY
These symptoms may include:
Behaving recklessly or in a self-destructive way
Being easily startled
Having problems concentrating or sleeping
Being irritable and having angry outbursts


Interested in Participating in a Research Study?
If you think that these criteria might apply to you, you may be eligible to participate in
a research study on the links between PTSD and health outcomes.
FIND OUT MORE