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