Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) arises after exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence, characterized by intrusive symptoms, avoidance, negative mood, and hyperarousal. Etiology includes trauma exposure, genetic predisposition, neurobiological dysregulation, and environmental factors. Clinically, patients experience flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing. Diagnosis is clinical, based on DSM-5 criteria, with assessment of trauma exposure and symptom persistence beyond one month. Management involves trauma-focused psychotherapy (e.g., prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy) and pharmacotherapy (SSRIs, SNRIs) when indicated.