Posttraumatic

Posttraumatic is an adjectival term used to describe phenomena that arise after exposure to a traumatic event, such as physical injury, violence, natural disaster, or life-threatening experiences. In medical and psychological contexts, posttraumatic outcomes may be psychological, neurological, or physical in nature and may vary in onset and duration across individuals.

In psychology and psychiatry, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a well-known example, referring to a constellation of symptoms including intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in mood and cognition, and hyperarousal after trauma. Onset is typically weeks to months after the event, and risk is influenced by factors such as severity of exposure, social support, and coping resources. The term is also used in a broader sense to describe posttraumatic symptoms that do not meet full PTSD criteria.

The term also appears in neurology and medicine. Posttraumatic amnesia describes impaired memory following brain injury; posttraumatic headaches and other neurological sequelae may persist for varying durations. In psychology, posttraumatic growth describes positive psychological change following adversity, such as increased personal strength or improved relationships.

Historically, the concept has evolved as understanding of trauma expanded. Posttraumatic descriptions serve as a general label for conditions that arise after trauma, with precise diagnoses defined by clinical criteria rather than the adjective alone.

See also: trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic growth, head injury.