People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger. PTSD develops after a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. - Excerpted from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Posttraumatic stress disorder, which is commonly referred to as PTSD, is a condition which some people develop after they experience a very traumatic, sometimes life threatening, event. For instance, a person might develop PTSD after observing another person or group of people being seriously injured or killed. Natural disasters and wars are likely to cause some of its victims to experience post-traumatic stress disorder. Learn more...
PTSD Fact Sheet
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event. A traumatic event is something horrible and scary that you see, hear about, or that happens to you. During a traumatic event, you think that your life or others' lives are in danger. You may feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening. Learn more...
Sleep and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Many people suffer from problems with their sleep. This can be especially true for those who have witnessed or experienced one or more traumatic events such as rape, military combat, natural disasters, beatings, or neighborhood violence. It is well known that a problem with sleep is one of many problems for those with PTSD. Learn more...
Effects of Traumatic Experiences
People who go through traumatic experiences often have symptoms and problems afterward. How serious the symptoms and problems are depends on many things including a person's life experiences before the trauma, a person's own natural ability to cope with stress, how serious the trauma was, and what kind of help and support a person gets from family, friends, and professionals immediately following the trauma. Learn more...
Survivors of Natural Disasters and Mass Violence
Every year, millions of people are affected by both mass violence and natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, and wildfires. Survivors face the danger of death or physical injury and the possible loss of their homes, possessions, and communities. Such stressors place survivors at risk for behavioral and emotional readjustment problems. Learn more...
Acute Stress Disorder
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is a psychiatric diagnosis and the current diagnostic criteria for ASD are similar to the criteria for PTSD. However, the criteria for ASD contain a greater emphasis on dissociative symptoms and the diagnosis can only be given within the first month after a traumatic event. Learn more...
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders affect millions of American adults each year, causing them to be filled with fearfulness and uncertainty. Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event, such as speaking in public or a first date, Anxiety Disorders last at least 6 months and may worsen if they are not treated. Learn more...
Anxiety FAQs
Anxiety is a feeling of tension associated with a sense of threat of danger when the source of the danger is not known. In contrast, fear is a feeling of tension that is associated with a known source of danger. Learn more...
Anger and Trauma
Researchers have described three components of posttraumatic anger that can become maladaptive or interfere with one's ability to adapt to current situations that do not involve extreme threat. Learn more...
Anger Cues and Control Strategies
In addition to becoming aware of anger, individuals need to develop strategies to effectively manage it. These strategies can be used to stop the escalation of anger before loss of control results in negative consequences. An effective set of strategies for controlling anger should include both immediate and preventive strategies. Learn more...
Answers to Common Questions about Counseling
Throughout life, there are times when help is needed to address problems and issues that cause emotional distress or make us feel overwhelmed. When experiencing these types of difficulties, individuals may benefit from the assistance of an experienced, trained professional. Learn more...
Putting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Work for You: Combat Depression, Anxiety and Other Problems
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy used to treat depression, anxiety disorders and other problems such as anger, fears, procrastination as well as improve confidence and relationships. It involves recognizing distorted or negative thinking and learning to replace it with more realistic, positive thoughts or beliefs. Learn more...
The Numbers Count: Mental Health Disorders in America
Mental disorders are common in the United States and internationally. An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Learn more...