Definition of Post-traumatic stress Post-traumatic stress: An
anxiety disorder that develops in some individuals who have had
major traumatic experiences. The person is typically numb at
first but later has symptoms including depression, excessive
irritability, guilt (for having survived while others died),
recurrent nightmares, flashbacks to the traumatic scene, and
overreactions to sudden noises. Post-traumatic stress became
known in the 70s due to the adjustment problems of some Vietnam
veterans. It was first listed as a diagnostic category by the
American Psychiatric Association in 1980. Although the name
"post-traumatic stress" was new, the condition was not. It was
known as "shell shock" in World War I and "battle fatigue"
during World War II.Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary Last
Editorial Review: 9/20/2012 Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z
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