Robert M Stowe, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Steven Taylor, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Published online: February 2003
DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0002211
Posttraumatic stress disorder is a clinical condition that develops in some individuals after exposure to major psychological trauma. It is characterized by distressing symptoms, including re-experiencing of the inciting event(s), hypersensitivity to trauma-related stimuli and chronic hyperarousal.
Keywords: PTSD; posttraumatic stress disorder; stress; anxiety
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| Further Reading | |
| book Davis M (1992) "Analysis of aversive memories using the fear-potentiated startle paradigm". In: Squire LR and Butters N (eds) Neuropsychology of Memory, 2nd edn., pp. 470–484. New York: Guilford Press | |
| Morgan CA and Grillon C (1999) Abnormal mismatch negativity in women with sexual assault-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Biological Psychiatry 45: 827–832. | |
| Szabo ST and Blier P (2001) Functional and pharmacological characterization of the modulatory role of serotonin on the firing activity of locus coeruleus norepinephrine neurons. Brain Research 922: 9–20. | |
| book van der Kolk BA, McFarlane AC and Weisaeth L (eds) (1996) Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience on Mind, Body, and Society. New York: Guilford Press. | |
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