Boots WebMD Partners in Health
Return To Boots

Anxiety-panic disorders health centre

Select a topic to explore more.
Select An Article

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that develops after a person experiences a very stressful, frightening or distressing event.

PTSD symptoms include reliving the event in flashbacks and nightmares. A person with PTSD may also feel guilt, isolation, problems concentrating and sleep problems.

Symptoms may be seen shortly after the event or may emerge some time later.

Not everyone who goes through a traumatic event will experience PTSD.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?


  • Increased arousal: These include excessive emotions; problems relating to others, including feeling or showing affection; difficulty falling or staying asleep; irritability; hypervigilence; outbursts of anger; difficulty concentrating; and being "jumpy" or easily startled The person may also suffer physical symptoms, such as increased blood pressure and heart rate, rapid breathing, muscle tension, nausea and diarrhoea.


Who gets PTSD?

Everyone reacts to traumatic events differently. Each person is unique in his or her ability to manage fear and stress, and to cope with the threat posed by a traumatic event or situation. For that reason, not everyone who experiences or witnesses a trauma will develop PTSD. The type of help and support a person receives from friends, family members and professionals following the trauma may influence the development of PTSD or the severity of symptoms.

PTSD was first brought to the attention of the medical community by war veterans, hence the names shell shock and battle fatigue syndrome. However, PTSD can occur in anyone who has experienced a traumatic event. People who have been abused as children or who have been repeatedly exposed to life-threatening situations are at greater risk of developing PTSD. Victims of trauma related to physical and sexual assault face the greatest risk of PTSD.

How common is PTSD?

PTSD affects around 1 in 3 people after a traumatic event. PTSD can occur at any age, including childhood.

Around 40% of people with PTSD will have suffered a sudden bereavement of someone close to them.


Next Article:

WebMD Medical Reference

Mind, body & soul newsletter

Looking after your
health and wellbeing.
Sign Up Now!

Popular slideshows & tools on BootsWebMD

How to help headache pain
man in mirror
How smoking affects your looks & life
man holding sore neck
16 tips when you have a lot of weight to lose
man holding sore neck
Could you have a hormone imbalance?
woman looking at pregnancy test
Is your body ready for pregnancy?
man holding sore neck
8 signs you're headed for menopause
couple makigh salad
Nutrition for over 50s
bain illustration
Best foods for your brain
adult man contemplating
When illness makes it hard to eat
Allergy myths and facts
egg in cup
Surprising things that can harm your liver