Health.mil: the official website of the Military Health System (MHS) and the Defense Health Agency (DHA)

Utility Navigation Links

Social Media Links

Sidebar Navigation

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

You may have heard of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on the news or from friends and family, and wondered what it is, or whether you or someone you know has it.

After a trauma or life-threatening event, it is common to have reactions such as upsetting memories of the event, increased jumpiness, or trouble sleeping. If these reactions do not go away or if they get worse, you may have PTSD.

If you think you or a loved one might have PTSD, the Defense Centers of Excellence and Department of Veterans Affairs have information and tools to help you.

You also may be interested in...

Showing results 1 - 15 Page 1 of 2

Fight Song: Army singer belts out beautiful tune despite PTSD

Article

10/17/2016

Army Staff Sgt. Tierra Brown, a 392nd Army Band vocalist, was seen by millions singing the National Anthem during the CNN Town Hall with President Barack Obama at Fort Lee, Virginia, Sept. 28. Brown, a Soldier of 14 years, has battled post-traumatic stress disorder for years. (U.S. Army photo by T. Anthony Bell)

Army Staff Sgt. Tierra Brown sang the national anthem to open the nationally televised CNN town hall featuring President Barack Obama

Recommended Content:

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Yoga helps me manage PTSD

Article

6/29/2016

Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Chris Eder practices yoga, which he says helps with posttraumatic stress disorder

Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Chris Eder describes how yoga helped him with posttraumatic stress disorder

Recommended Content:

Mental Wellness, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD awareness leads to positive treatment

Article

6/27/2016

If you, or someone you know, have been through a traumatic event, seek out a mental health provider and request a screening. PTSD does not usually go away on its own and the earlier you seek help the sooner you can start feeling better and return to the life you want to lead.

Treating PTSD has improved dramatically in the last 20 years

Recommended Content:

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Reclaiming your life is purpose of PTSD program

Article

6/8/2016

Brooke Army Medical Center’s Intensive Outpatient Program for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder program launched two years ago to offer short-term, focused care to service members with PTSD

Recommended Content:

Access to Health Care, Military Hospitals and Clinics, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Mental Health Care, Mental Wellness, San Antonio Military Health System

TBI patient recovers with help from a canine friend

Article

5/13/2016

Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury staff members admire Lundy, a service dog, as his owner Jake Young (far right), a former Navy SEAL, looks on.

When Jake Young, a former Navy SEAL, was asked to train a service dog as a form of therapy, he wasn’t exactly sold on the idea

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury

Veterans overcome challenges Through 'Face of America' Ride

Article

4/29/2016

Retired Army Sgt. Albert Gonzalez sets pace for the Rescue 22 team during the Face of America bike ride.

Hundreds of cyclists, including nearly 175 disabled veterans, rode to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as part of World T.E.A.M. Sports’ annual “Face of America” ride

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Physical Activity

Research key to progress in PTSD, TBI care, DoD experts say

Article

4/27/2016

Doctors updated a Senate Armed Services Committee panel on the Defense Department’s research, diagnosis and treatment for PTSD and TBI

Recommended Content:

Conditions and Treatments, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury

Suicide prevention starts with awareness of warning signs

Article

9/29/2015

The complex issue of suicide and suicide prevention involves not only mental health professionals, but the community at large. The best advice to friends, families and loved ones who are concerned about someone at risk: be aware, be vigilant and never be timid about talking to that person about his or her feelings.

Helping the Hopeless: Family, friends, & community can help a person at risk of suicide by simply being aware

Recommended Content:

Suicide Prevention, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Mental Health Care, Substance Abuse, Mental Wellness

Military medicine tackles suicide with prevention tools for patients, families and providers

Article

9/8/2015

U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Tech. Sgt. Nadine Y. Barclay

The military has a whole suite of tools available to help prevent suicide.

Recommended Content:

Mental Health Care, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Substance Abuse, Sleep, Mental Wellness, Suicide Prevention

Restorative effects of sleep examined by Naval Research committee

Article

8/14/2015

U.S. Army Soldiers awake in their hasty fighting position after a night patrol in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan.

Lack of sleep can aggravate PTSD and TBI and increase risk of obesity, heart attack and stroke in the military—the “Restorative Effects of Sleep” workshop, convened by the Office of Naval Research and Human Performance Optimization Committee, addressed these concerns.

Recommended Content:

Sleep, Traumatic Brain Injury, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Heart Health, Health Readiness

Vet clinic supports MWD program with care, training

Article

7/23/2015

Staff Sgt. Erik Smith (left), a 822nd Base Defense Squadron military working dog handler, holds down MWD, Celo, while Army Capt. (Dr.) Allison Brekke, the 23rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron officer in charge of veterinary services, listens for Celo’s heartbeat before surgery. Dr. Breeke checked Cleo’s health to ensure there would be no complications before beginning surgery.

Military working dogs require extensive medical care to keep their noses in good working condition to help sniff out drugs and explosives and aid in base security. To ensure these canines are up for the task, the 23rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron Veterinary Services Flight supports Moody's MWDs by maintaining their preventative care.

Recommended Content:

Veterinary Service, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

DCOE Annual Report 2014

Report

7/16/2015

Annual Report for the Defense Center of Excellence - 2014

Recommended Content:

Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy, Mental Health Care, Traumatic Brain Injury, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Suicide Prevention, DoD/VA Sharing Initiatives, Deployment Health

Mindfulness-based stress reduction finds a place in the military

Article

7/7/2015

Mindfulness-based meditation and the military are generally two things that one would not associate with one another. But on Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Dr. Valerie Rice, chief, U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Human Research and Engineering Directorate Army Medical Department Field Element in San Antonio, has participated in the Army Study Program since 2012. She has led a study entitled "Evaluating Next Generation Resiliency Training using the Virtual World of Second Life" for the last four years. (Photo by Spc. Charles Probst)

The practice of mindfulness uses age-old meditation practices, offering practitioners an outlet for stress relief.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Medical Research and Development

DoD Observes National PTSD Awareness Day

Article

6/27/2015

National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day observance reflects how PTSD became known as an “invisible wound of war” during more than a decade of combat

Recommended Content:

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Conditions and Treatments

Coping with PTSD, Warrior Games athletes see lasting benefits of team competition

Article

6/26/2015

Relaxing outside of Marine Corps Base Quantico’s Barber Gym at the 2015 Warrior Games, Team Army’s Sgt. Patrick Timmins, retired Staff Sgt. Randi Gavell and Sgt. Blake Johnson await a sitting volleyball seeded match against the British Armed Forces on June 25.

For Sgt. Patrick Timmins and retired Staff Sgt. Randi Gavell, members of Team Army at the 2015 Warrior Games, competitive sports have greatly aided their return to physical and emotional health after suffering combat wounds and PTSD.

Recommended Content:

Conditions and Treatments, Mental Health Care, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Warrior Games

<< < 1 2 > >>

Showing results 1 - 15 Page 1 of 2

DHA Address: 7700 Arlington Boulevard | Suite 5101 | Falls Church, VA | 22042-5101

Some documents are presented in Portable Document Format (PDF). A PDF reader is required for viewing. Download a PDF Reader or learn more about PDFs.