post–traumatic stress disorder

noun

medical : a mental condition that can affect a person who has had a very shocking or difficult experience (such as fighting in a war) and that is usually characterized by depression, anxiety, etc.

Full Definition of POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

: a psychological reaction occurring after experiencing a highly stressing event (as wartime combat, physical violence, or a natural disaster) that is usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event —abbreviation PTSD —called also post-traumatic stress syndrome

See post–traumatic stress disorder defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

1980

Medical Dictionary

post–traumatic stress disorder

noun

Medical Definition of POST–TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

: a psychological reaction that occurs after experiencing a highly stressing event (as wartime combat, physical violence, or a natural disaster) outside the range of normal human experience and that is usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event—abbreviation PTSD; called also delayed-stress disorder, delayed-stress syndrome, post-traumatic stress syndrome; compare combat fatigue