Health Library
The Health Library is a collection of health and wellness resources created for learning and accessibility. Select a topic below for related health information or search for a topic in the search bar for more information on other medical conditions.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Covers panic attack, an intense fear that comes on suddenly. Looks at physical symptoms such as chest pain, pounding heartbeat, and sweating. Includes getting treatment with cognitive-behavioral therapy or medicine.
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Covers three types of counseling used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Looks at cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and a newer therapy called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
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Covers treatments other than cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and antidepressants for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Looks at group therapy, brief psychodynamic psychotherapy, and family therapy.
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Looks at the problem of using alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Covers when alcohol or drug use becomes a problem. Includes a test to see if you have a problem with alcohol or drugs and steps for getting help.
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With post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), your symptoms can be overwhelming. You may be thinking about harming yourself, or even thinking about suicide. Sometimes people with PTSD also have depression, panic attacks, severe anxiety, or a substance use problem. This may put you at a higher risk for suicide. You...
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After a traumatic event, you may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You may not feel close to people, or you may feel on edge. Your friends and family may tell you that you don't seem the same. You may feel angry. Anger is a normal...
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Covers how you and your family can be better prepared for changes PTSD can bring to your life. Looks at family support and talking with your kids. Discusses triggers that suddenly remind you of your traumatic event. Includes coping with holidays.
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Covers how mental health problems can affect your relationships. Looks at the stigma of mental health problems. Offers ways to help others understand. Covers how to get help. Includes links to info on specific disorders like depression, OCD, or PTSD.
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Covers how you can help a family member who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Includes dealing with anger or violent behavior. Looks at how to communicate better. Covers how to take care of yourself and how to get support from others.
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Feeling worried or nervous is a normal part of everyday life. Everyone frets or feels anxious from time to time. Mild to moderate anxiety can help you focus your attention, energy, and motivation. If anxiety is severe, you may have feelings of...
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Learn how to plan ahead for coping with stress and symptoms at home.
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Learn how to check on how you're feeling during or after PTSD treatment.
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Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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Learn about the treatment options for PTSD.
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Hear how others decided to get treatment and how it helped them.
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Virtual reality therapy is the use of computer-produced situations to make you believe and feel as though you are actually in a different place and situation. You may wear a helmet or goggles that contain a small video screen through which you see computer-produced images. When you move your head, the images on the...
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Covers causes and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Looks at how treatment can help and steps you can take. Discusses most effective treatments—counseling and antidepressant medicines. Includes stories from others in their own words.
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Cancer-related post-traumatic stress (PTS) is a lot like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but not as severe. Patients have a range of normal reactions when they hear they have cancer. These include: Repeated frightening thoughts. Being distracted or overexcited. Trouble sleeping. Feeling detached from oneself or...
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The hurricane still haunts Marvin. He and his wife, daughter, and four grandkids huddled on a neighbor's roof as floodwaters from the storm surges swirled around them. Lashed by wind and debris, they survived by hooking themselves to a rooftop...
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Covers some reasons people don't seek treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Looks at common objections to seeking treatment, such as the cost and the fear of what others think. Includes what you can do about overcoming objections.
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder. Many people believe things about mental health disorders that aren't true. Here are some myths about PTSD. PTSD does exist. It is a recognized mental health problem that has been...
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There is no medical test that can tell whether you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Your doctor will ask you questions to find out whether you have it, what traumatic event may have caused it, and how severe your symptoms are. Your doctor...
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For 38 years, Ron kept his Vietnam memories to himself. When stress brought on flashbacks, he dealt with them by drinking them away. "I didn't realize I had a problem," he said. "I run a very successful program with a great staff. I considered it...
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As a medic in Iraq, Tim was always in the midst of suffering. He treated soldiers with horrible wounds. He saw some die. Within one day of returning home, he faced another trauma. His father died of cancer. "He was my best friend for my whole life....
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For close to 40 years, Stan woke up each day feeling as if he were going to die. "Mornings were like doomsday," he recalls, describing his depression, alcohol use disorder, and prescription drug misuse. "It was like everything was just dead … that...