Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

An anxiety disorder that affects people who have undergone a serious life threatening traumatic experience.  It usually occurs about 3 months or later after a person experiences a criminal assault, serious accident, natural disaster, or a traumatic experience.  The person may have flashbacks or nightmares, sleep disturbances, feeling of numbness and detachment, irritability, startling easily, and outbursts of anger.  Treatment is by use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, adrenergic agents, and psychotherapy.  See anxiety disorders.