Frequently Asked Questions

According to the American Psychiatric Association Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, series of events or set of circumstances. An individual may experience this as emotionally or physically harmful or life-threatening and may affect mental, physical, social, and/or spiritual well-being. Examples include natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist acts, war/combat, rape/sexual assault, historical trauma, intimate partner violence and bullying.

Learn more here: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd

You may have complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if you have some of the symptoms of PTSD, and also have problems with managing your emotions and having relationships.

The types of traumatic events that can cause complex PTSD include:

• childhood abuse, neglect or abandonment
• ongoing domestic violence or abuse
• repeatedly witnessing violence or abuse
• being forced or manipulated into prostitution (trading sex)
• torture, kidnapping or slavery
• being a prisoner of war.

You are more likely to develop complex PTSD if:

• you experienced trauma at an early age
• the trauma lasted for a long time
• escape or rescue were unlikely or impossible
• you have experienced multiple traumas
• you were harmed by someone close to you.

Learn more at: https://www.mind.org.uk/

If you're here, it means you've already taken the first step by trying to educate yourself.  Thank you!

The VA has a short, easy to read brochure to help you begin to understand in order to help your friend or family member.   Check it out: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/publications/print/understandingptsd_family_booklet.pdf