fun facts :D
PTSD was not officially recognized as a formal diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) until this decade.
1980s
This part of the brain, responsible for processing memories and emotions, has been found to be smaller in some severe PTSD sufferers.
hippocampus
Accounting for nearly one-third of community cases, this cause involves the sudden, unexpected death of a close friend or family member.
death of a loved one
why might people with PTSD avoid certain places or situations
to manage intense distress, fear, or flashbacks associated with their trauma
TRUE OR FALSE: Only military combat veterans can develop PTSD.
FALSE: Anyone who experiences or witnesses a traumatic event (such as accidents, abuse, or natural disasters) can develop PTSD.
In brain scans of PTSD patients, this part of the brain—responsible for memory and context—often appears physically smaller.
Hippocampus
This term describes the persistent feeling that you are responsible for a traumatic event, even when you aren't.
guilt/survivor's guilt
These causes, which include physical assault or domestic abuse, often carry a higher risk of PTSD because they are intentionally inflicted by another person.
interpersonal trauma/ violence
To escape overwhelming memories, many sufferers turn to "self-medicating," which can lead to this secondary disorder.
substance abuse/addiction
TRUE OR FALSE: PTSD is a medical condition that changes how the brain functions.
TRUE: PTSD is not a sign of mental "weakness." It involves complex chemical and structural changes in the brain's survival and fear response systems.
Statistically, this gender is twice as likely to develop PTSD, often due to higher rates of interpersonal violence.
woman
This "re-experiencing" symptom isn't just a memory; it’s an intense emotional wave where a person feels as if the trauma is happening in the present moment.
flashbacks
While less likely to cause PTSD than human-inflicted violence, events like earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes can trigger the disorder due to a perceived threat to life.
natural disasters
This specific psychological effect involves a persistent belief that one’s life will end early or that normal milestones, like marriage or a career, will never happen.
foreshortened
TRUE OR FALSE: PTSD symptoms always appear immediately after a traumatic event.
FALSE: While PTSD symptoms can appear immediately, they often emerge months or even years after a traumatic event.
PTSD is often misdiagnosed as this common childhood developmental disorder because both can cause an inability to focus or sit still.
ADHD(up to 1 million U.S. children annually)
Also known as anhedonia, this effect causes a person to feel "flat" or "hollow," losing the ability to experience joy or connect with loved ones.
emotional numbing/detachment
This type of PTSD doesn't require direct experience; it can develop from learning about a loved one's trauma or through repeated work-related exposure to distressing details.
indirect exposure
In a work or school setting, this involuntary physical reaction to a loud noise or someone walking up behind you can cause significant embarrassment and stress.
startle reflex
TRUE OR FALSE:PTSD can cause physical health problems, not just mental symptoms.
TRUE: The chronic stress of PTSD can lead to physical issues such as chronic pain, cardiovascular problems, and a weakened immune system.
This singer-songwriter, who survived a 2017 suicide bombing at her concert in Manchester, shared a brain scan on Instagram showing the physical impact of PTSD.
Ariana Grande
This defensive mechanism involves "spacing out" or feeling detached from one's own body and reality to escape overwhelming emotional pain.
dissociation
what is the most common cause of PTSD
the sudden, unexpected death of a loved one
This daily necessity is often ruined by PTSD, leading to chronic exhaustion and a "fear of the dark" or falling asleep.
insomnia
TRUE OR FALSE: Everyone who goes through a traumatic experience will develop PTSD.
FALSE: While most people experience a potentially traumatic event in their lifetime, only a minority develop it