It may occur a few days or weeks after the event, or it may not begin for months after the trauma. PTSD has received significant attention in the years following the Vietnam War, as many veterans experience flashbacks and emotional trauma even decades later. The most common feature of PTSD is the reexperiencing of the trauma, often through nightmares or flashbacks. Patients may also experience insomnia, anxiety, difficulty concentrating or memory impairment. In more extreme cases, patients may become violent or resort to drugs or alcohol to deal with their symptoms.
Most patients lose interest in their normal activities and feel detached from other people.
Although it may have the same symptoms, PTSD is different from depressive or anxiety disorders. Patients with suspected PTSD should be thoroughly examined to make sure that there are no brain lesions causing the memory and concentration impairment. Acute PTSD occurs rapidly but symptoms usually spontaneously disappear within six months of onset. With delayed onset or chronic PTSD, symptoms may last months or years, and patients may frequently experience significant disability. There's a new vaccine available for the fight against Lyme disease.