What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD can occur at any age, including childhood. While most symptoms usually present within the first 3 months after the trauma, there may also be a delay of months, or even years, before symptoms appear.
If you have directly experienced or witnessed traumatic event such as a terrorist attack, military combat, violent assault, natural or manmade disasters, car accidents, or life-threatening disease you may be experiencing the following symptoms related to PTSD:
- Vivid recurring memories of the trauma
- Severe anxiety and insomnia
- Jumpiness and startling easily
- Emotional numbness
- Irritability and withdrawal from friends and family
- Powerful urges to avoid any reminder of the trauma
- Difficulty functioning from day to day
Current research focuses on improving the lives of people experiencing the above symptoms by developing new and better treatments. Therapeutic interventions often involve exposure therapy, relaxation techniques and combination of psychotherapy and medication.
Learn more about available PTSD Treatment Programs at Columbia/NYSPI
