Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. These events can include military combat, natural disasters, serious accidents, violent assaults, or other life-threatening situations.

 

While many people experience stress reactions shortly after trauma, PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms persist for more than one month and significantly interfere with daily functioning. Symptoms may appear within months of the event or sometimes emerge later and last for extended periods.