Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that some individuals develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event. People can develop PTSD after a single traumatic event or after repeated trauma. PTSD can cause significant distress and impact one’s ability to function normally. Symptoms include flashbacks, reliving episodes, sleep disturbances including nightmares, behavioral avoidance patterns, anxiety related to the event. PTSD symptoms can interfere with our ability to trust others, frequently increasing our sense of social isolation. 

PTSD can be treated using medication and psychotherapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy.