PTSD Quiz

Approximately 7% of U.S. adults are impacted each year by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with twice as many women affected than men. PTSD is a form of anxiety caused by a prolonged response to experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

What Is PTSD?

PTSD is a mental health condition that stems from unresolved trauma. PTSD may result after exposure to a shocking, dangerous, or frightening event.

While most people eventually overcome the shock and emotional effects of the event, some will continue to suffer months later. PTSD is the condition where an individual becomes “stuck” in the trauma.

Examples of a traumatic event include:

Physical or sexual assault
Natural disaster
Serious auto accident or injury
Combat related trauma
Sudden unexpected death in the family
Serious illness

Symptoms of PTSD

The symptoms of PTSD may not emerge right away. They may appear a few months after the trauma, or they could even surface years after the event. PTSD includes the following diagnostic criteria that continue to persist for at least one month after the traumatic event:

A minimum of one re-experiencing symptom. These include flashbacks, nightmares, or recurrent frightening thoughts
A minimum of one avoidance symptom. These include avoiding places, events, people, or things that remind the individual of the trauma. Avoidance also includes blocking thoughts and feelings related to the trauma
A minimum of two arousal and reactivity symptoms. These include hyper-arousal, feeling tense, jumpy, or on edge, sleep disturbances, and angry outbursts
A minimum of two cognition and mood symptoms. These include difficulty remembering details of the traumatic event, a negative mindset, inappropriate feelings of blame or guilt, and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.

Substance abuse is another common symptom of PTSD. The individual uses alcohol or drugs to relieve the emotional impact of the trauma. Very often, someone with PTSD will have co-occurring substance use disorder.

Treatment for PTSD

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
CPT is similar to CBT and helps the person identify how the trauma has led to disordered thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CPT shows them how to replace those with a different perspective on the trauma.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is an information processing technique that involves dual processing or engaging both sides of the brain. In an EMDR session, the individual tracks the therapist’s finger or object back and forth with their eyes, while they discuss the trauma.
Prolonged exposure (PE)
PE involves repeating the details of the trauma over and over with the therapist, or visiting the scene of the trauma until the memories become less intense.
Support groups
PTSD support groups are a vital source of social support.
Holistic methods
Self-care practices that focus on learning how to relax are helpful in managing the effects of PTSD. Such activities might include meditation, journaling, and yoga.