Mood & Mental Health
PTSD
A trauma-related condition that can shape attention, memory, and emotional regulation.
Definitions
Plain-language & scholarly.
Plain language
PTSD develops after experiencing or witnessing trauma. It can affect sleep, attention, and how the body responds to stress.
Scholarly
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder follows exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence, with symptoms across intrusion, avoidance, negative cognition/mood, and arousal/reactivity clusters (DSM-5-TR).
Traits, strengths & challenges
Common traits
- Intrusive memories
- Hyperarousal
- Avoidance
- Negative shifts in mood and cognition
Strengths
- Empathy with others' pain
- Heightened awareness
- Resilience
Challenges
- Sleep disruption
- Concentration
- Trust
- Sensory triggers
Myths vs facts
Myth
Only combat veterans get PTSD.
Fact
PTSD can follow any traumatic event — accidents, assault, medical trauma, loss.
Across the lifespan
How it may appear in children
- Regression
- Play that re-enacts trauma
- Sleep disturbance
How it may appear in adults
- Avoidance of triggers
- Hypervigilance
- Relationship strain
In context
Workplace considerations
- Avoid surprise loud noises
- Trauma-informed feedback
- Flexible scheduling
Family & caregiver considerations
- Patience with triggers
- Predictable routines
- Co-regulation
Faith & community considerations
- Trauma-informed pastoral care
- Avoid pressure to forgive prematurely
Coping & support
Coping strategies
- EMDR
- Trauma-focused CBT
- Somatic practices
- Community support
Possible co-occurring conditions
DepressionAnxietySubstance useADHD
Many neurodivergent people meet criteria for more than one profile. See the co-occurring conditions guide.
Research highlights & references
- Lifetime prevalence ~3.9% globally (WHO World Mental Health Surveys).