Osmosis video - Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Nursing

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that can develop after a person is exposed to one or more traumatic events, such as sexual assault, warfare, traffic collisions, terrorism, or other threats to a person's life. It can cause a range of psychological and physical symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, avoidance of trauma-related cues, and alterations in how a person thinks and feels about themselves and the world. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, medication, and support groups.