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PTSD is a condition marked by the development of symptoms with duration more than a month after exposure to traumatic life events. People with this disorder will reacts to this experience with fear and helplessness, persistently relives the event, and tries to avoid being reminded of it. Their reaction significantly affect important area of life (e.g family, work).

This disorder usually arise from experiences in war, torture, natural catastrophes (tsunami, hurricane, earthquake), assault, rape, and serious accidents, for example, in cars and in burning buildings.

The National Comorbidity Study found that 60 percent of males and 50 percent of females had experienced some significant trauma. The mental status examination often reveals feelings of guilt, rejection, and humiliation. Patients may also describe dissociative states and panic attacks, illusions and hallucinations may be present. Associated symptoms can include aggression, violence, poor impulse control, depression, and substance-related disorders. Cognitive testing may reveal that patients have impaired memory and attention.

Keys to correctly diagnosing PTSD involve a careful review of the time course relating the symptoms to a traumatic event. PTSD is also associated with reexperiencing and avoidance of a trauma, features typically not present in panic or generalized anxiety disorder.

The major approaches for people with PTSD are support, encouragement to discuss the event, and education about a variety of coping mechanisms (e.g., relaxation). Sedatives and hypnotics drugs can also be helpful.