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PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder): What Is PTSD?

Guide to researching Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD

PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is a psychosomatic condition usually caused by the inability to process traumatic events. 

PTSD can be caused by

  • War
  • Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional)
  • Torture
  • Rape or other sexual violence
  • Natural disaster (earthquake, flooding, etc.)
  • Terrorism
  • Violent crime
  • Witnessing any of the above
  • Learning any of the above happened to someone you love

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. http://www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp

PTSD Synonyms

PTSD is known by a number of names. Keep these in mind when doing research:

  • Emotional trauma
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (DSM-V preferred term)
  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Posttraumatic Stress Injury
  • Post-traumatic Stress Injury
  • Post Traumatic Stress Injury
  • PTSD
  • Stress reactions
  • Traumatic neurosis
  • TRAUMATIC NEUROSIS or STRESS REACTIONS to access references to POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER from 1973-1984 (EBSCOhost)
  • Combat stress reaction
  • Shell shock (World War 1 term)
  • Battle fatigue (World War 2 term)
  • Combat fatigue (World War 2 term)

Sources: EBSCOhost and ProQuest Thesauri

Picture

Two ladies in long black coats and black hats standing in the rubble
National Archives Identifier 531162; “Two Bewildered Old Ladies Stand Amid the Leveled Ruins of the Almshouse Which Was Home; Until Jerry Dropped His Bombs. Total War Knows No Bounds. Almshouse Bombed February 10, Newbury, Berkshire, England,” 2/11/1943; Photographs of American Military Activities, ca. 1918 - ca. 1981; Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 – 1985; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.