posttraumatic

posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD; an anxiety disorder caused by exposure to an intensely traumatic event, such as rape or assault, military combat or bombing of civilians, torture, death camps, natural disasters, terrible accidents, developmentally inappropriate sexual experiences, or life-threatening illness. Characteristics include reexperiencing the traumatic event in recurrent intrusive recollections, nightmares, or flashbacks; avoidance of trauma-associated stimuli and a generalized numbing of emotional responsiveness; and hyperalertness with difficulty in sleeping, remembering, or concentrating. The onset of symptoms may be delayed for months to years after the event.