MedlinePlus: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

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- Services and providers for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the U.S.
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National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is the National Institute of Mental Health
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Also called: PTSD

Have you lived through a scary or dangerous event? Do you have some of the following problems?

Feeling like the event is happening again
Trouble sleeping or nightmares
Not feeling close to people
Becoming easily angered
Feeling guilty because others died when you lived

If so, you might have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Events that might cause PTSD include rape, physical abuse, an airplane or car crash, war or others. For most people, PTSD starts about three months after the event. However, sometimes signs of PTSD show up years later. PTSD can happen to anyone, even children.

Medicines can help you feel less afraid and tense. It might take a few weeks for them to work. Talking to a specially trained doctor or counselor also helps many people with PTSD. This is called talk therapy.

National Institute of Mental Health

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(National Institute of Mental Health)
Also available in Spanish
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player
Also available in Spanish
What Can I Do If I Think I Have PTSD?(National Center for PTSD)

Basics	Learn More	Multimedia & Cool Tools
Overviews Latest News Diagnosis/Symptoms Treatment	Coping Specific Conditions Related Issues	No links available
Research	Reference Shelf	For You
Clinical Trials Research Journal Articles	Dictionaries/Glossaries Directories Organizations Statistics	Children Teenagers Women Seniors

Overviews
- Common Reactions After Trauma(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- JAMA Patient Page: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder(American Medical Association)
  Also available in Spanish
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(American Academy of Family Physicians)
  Also available in Spanish
Latest News
- 9/11's Health Effects Lingered for Years(09/10/2008, HealthDay)
- Unproven Therapies Used on Traumatized Kids(09/09/2008, Reuters Health)
Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Effects of Traumatic Stress in a Disaster Situation(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- FAQs about PTSD Assessment(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- How Is PTSD Measured?(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
Treatment
- Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress and Dissociative Conditions: What to Look for and How to Choose a Therapist(Sidran Institute)
- Treatment of PTSD(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
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Coping
- Coping with PTSD and Recommended Lifestyle Changes for PTSD Patients(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- Having Trouble Coping? There Is Hope(Center for Mental Health Services) - Links to PDF
- In the Wake of Trauma: Tips for College Students(Center for Mental Health Services) - Links to PDF
- Managing Stress and Recovering from Trauma: Facts and Resources for Veterans and Families(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- Managing Traumatic Stress: Tips for Recovering from Disasters and Other Traumatic Events(American Psychological Association)
  Also available in Spanish
- Tips for Survivors of a Traumatic Event: Managing Your Stress(Center for Mental Health Services) - Links to PDF
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Specific Conditions
- Complex PTSD(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- Dealing with Trauma: Frightening Events Can Have Lasting Effects(National Institutes of Health)
- Post-Traumatic Stress After a Traffic Accident(American Academy of Family Physicians)
  Also available in Spanish
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Cancer Survivors(National Cancer Institute)
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Related Issues
- Answers in the Aftermath(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Disaster Rescue and Response Workers(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- Discussing Trauma and PTSD with Your Doctor(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- Finding a PTSD Therapist(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- How Do People Respond during Traumatic Exposure?(American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress) - Links to PDF
- PTSD and Physical Health(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- PTSD and Suicide(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- PTSD and the Family(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Families of Military Personnel(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Military Personnel(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs) - Links to PDF
- Sleep and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- Trauma and Relationships(International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies)
- Trauma, Loss and Traumatic Grief(International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies)
- Traumatic Stress and Substance Use Problems(International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies)
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Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic(National Institutes of Health)
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Research
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Research(National Institute of Mental Health)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)(National Institutes of Health) - Links to PDF
- Virtual Reality, Psychotherapy, Show Promise in Treating PTSD Symptoms; Civilian Access to Care Remains a Concern(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Dictionaries/Glossaries
- Dissociative Disorders Glossary(Sidran Institute)
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Directories
- Mental Health Services Locator(Center for Mental Health Services)
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Organizations
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Statistics
- How Common Is PTSD?(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
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Children
- For Parents: Childhood Traumatic Grief Educational Materials(National Child Traumatic Stress Network) - Large PDF file
- Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Parents Can Do(National Institute of Mental Health)
- Resources for Helping Children Cope with Trauma and Death(NYU Child Study Center) - Large PDF file
- Understanding Child Traumatic Stress(National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
  Also available in Spanish
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Teenagers
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder(Nemours Foundation)
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Women
- Women, Trauma and PTSD(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
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Seniors
- PTSD and Older Veterans(National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
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