Post-Traumatic 

Stress Disorder 

It’s natural to be afraid when you’re 

in danger. It’s natural to be upset 

when something bad happens to 

you or someone you know. 

But if you feel afraid and upset 

weeks or months later, it’s time to 

talk with your doctor. You might 

have post-traumatic stress disorder. 
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

What is post-traumatic 

stress disorder, or PTSD? 

PTSD is a real illness. You can get PTSD after living through 

or seeing a dangerous event, such as war, a hurricane, or bad 

accident. PTSD makes you feel stressed and afraid after the 

danger is over. It affects your life and the people around you. 

If you have PTSD, you can get treatment and feel better. 

Who gets PTSD? 

PTSD can happen to anyone at any age. Children get PTSD too. 

You don’t have to be physically hurt to get PTSD. You can 

get it after you see other people, such as a friend or family 

member, get hurt. 

What causes PTSD? 

Living through or seeing something that’s upsetting and 

dangerous can cause PTSD. This can include: 

Being a victim of or seeing violence 

The death or serious illness of a loved one 

War or combat 

Car accidents and plane crashes 

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires 

Violent crimes, like a robbery or shooting. 

There are many other things that can cause PTSD. Talk to your 

doctor if you are troubled by something that happened to you or 

someone you care about. 
How do I know if I have PTSD? 

Your doctor can help you find out. Call your doctor if you 

have any of these problems: 

Bad dreams 

Flashbacks, or feeling like the scary event is happening again 

Scary thoughts you can’t control 

 Staying away from places and things that remind you 


of what happened
 

Feeling worried, guilty, or sad 

Feeling alone 

Trouble sleeping 

Feeling on edge 

Angry outbursts 

Thoughts of hurting yourself or others. 

Children who have PTSD may show other types of problems. 

These can include: 

Behaving like they did when they were younger 

Being unable to talk 

Complaining of stomach problems or headaches a lot 

Refusing to go places or play with friends. 

When does PTSD start? 

PTSD starts at different times for different people. Signs 

of PTSD may start soon after a frightening event and then 

continue. Other people develop new or more severe signs 

months or even years later. 

How can I get better? 

PTSD can be treated. A doctor or mental health professional 

who has experience in treating people with PTSD can help you. 

Treatment may include “talk” therapy, medication, or both. 

Treatment might take 6 to 12 weeks. For some people, it 

takes longer. Treatment is not the same for everyone. What 

works for you might not work for someone else. 

Drinking alcohol or using other drugs will not help PTSD 

go away and may even make it worse. 
How PTSD Can Happen: 

Janet’s Story 

Janet	was	in	a	car	crash	last	year.	The	crash	was	 

frightening,	and	a	man	in	another	car	died.	Janet	 

thought	she	was	lucky.	She	lived	through	it	and	 

she	wasn’t	badly	hurt.	 

Janet	felt	fine	for	a	while,	but	things	changed.	 

She	started	to	have	nightmares	every	night.	And	 

when	she	was	awake,	she	could	see	the	crash	 

happening	over	and	over	in	her	mind.	She	felt	 

tense	every	time	she	rode	in	a	car,	and	tried	to	 

avoid	it	as	much	as	she	could.	Janet	started		 

yelling	at	her	husband	over	little	things.	And	 

sometimes	she	just	felt	numb	inside.	 

Janet’s	husband	asked	her	to	see	her	doctor,		 

who	told	her	she	might	have	PTSD.	Janet’s	 

doctor	put	her	in	touch	with	a	doctor	trained	to	 

help	people	with	PTSD.	Soon	Janet	was	being	treated.	It	helped	her	to	feel	less	tense	and	 

scared,	and	it	helped	her	to	sleep.	It	also	helped	 

her	to	share	her	feelings	with	the	doctor.	It	wasn’t	 

easy,	but	after	a	couple	of	months	Janet	began		 

to	feel	better.	 
 

 

Facts About PTSD 

	 PTSD	can	affect	anyone	at	any	age. 

	 	Millions	of	Americans	get	PTSD		 

every	year. 

	 Many	war	veterans	have	had	PTSD.	 

	 	Women	tend	to	get	PTSD	more		 

often	than	men. 

	 	PTSD	can	be	treated.	You	can		 

feel	better. 

You	are	not	alone.	Get	help	if	you	are	 

thinking	about	hurting	yourself. 

	 Call	your	doctor.	 

	 Call	911	if	you	need	help	right	away.	 

	 	Talk	to	a	trained	counselor	at	the		 

National	Suicide	Prevention	Lifeline	 

at	1–800–273–TALK	(8255);		 

TTY:	1–800–799–4TTY	(4889). 

Don’t Hurt Yourself 
Facts About PTSD

PTSD can affect anyone at any age.

Millions of americans get PTSD 

every year.

Many war veterans have had PTSD. 

Women tend to get PTSD more 

often than men.

PTSD can be treated. You can 

feel better.

You are not alone. Get help if you are 

thinking about hurting yourself.

Call your doctor. 

Call 911 if you need help right away. 

Talk to a trained counselor at the 

National Suicide Prevention lifeline 

at 1–800–273–TalK (8255); 

TTY: 1–800–799–4TTY (4889).

Don’t Hurt Yourself