PTSD

American  

[pee-tee-es-dee] / ˈpiˈtiˈɛsˈdi /

abbreviation

1. post-traumatic stress disorder: a mental disorder occurring after an extremely distressing, stressful, or frightening event and characterized by symptoms such as reliving the event, avoidance of anything that is a reminder of the event, withdrawal from social interactions or previous activities, and an increase in feelings of anxiety, anger, sadness, shame, or guilt.

---

PTSD British  

abbreviation

1. post-traumatic stress disorder

---

Compare meaning

How does ptsd compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• shell shock vs. PTSD

Example Sentences

Doctors diagnosed him with PTSD, and when he finally publicly discussed what he was going through for the first time in an interview with Golf Channel, he felt immense relief.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Lead author Dr. Jack Wilson from the University of Sydney's Matilda Centre said the results raise serious questions about approving medicinal cannabis for conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2026

But the research shows that for many who are diagnosed with PTSD, the condition arises not from what was done to us but what we did—or what we failed to prevent.

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2026

Department of Veterans Affairs to treat PTSD, helped her pack the imagery into long-term memory.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

Dad said she had post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas