What is PTSD and where does it fit into the psychological health picture?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of a traumatic event. A traumatic event is an event that threatens one’s life or physical integrity, such as military combat, natural disaster, terrorist incident, serious accident or sexual assault in adult or childhood. Most survivors of trauma return to normal given a little time. However, some people will have stress reactions that do not go away on their own or may even get worse over time. These individuals may develop PTSD. PTSD is one type of psychological health issue. Like other mental health problems, PTSD is a product of the complex interaction of biological, psychological, historical and social factors. It is not the result of moral failing or weakness in character.
