Topic Page: PTSD

NIMH Pages About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Overview of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder…


Find current clinical trials on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder…


Publications About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Community Members Can Do
Helping Chilren and AdolescentsA brochure that describes what teachers, clergy, and other adults in the community can do to help children and adolescents cope with violence and disasters. En Español
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety DisordersA detailed booklet that describes the symptoms, causes, and treatments of the major anxiety disorders, with information on getting help and coping En Español
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Easy-to-Read)
PTSDAn easy-to-read booklet on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that explains what it is, when it starts, how long it lasts, and how to get help. En Español
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSDA booklet on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that explains what it is, treatment options, and how to get help.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Research Fact Sheet
NMIH Fact sheetA fact sheet with a brief description of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its treatment.

Science News About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

NIMH Twitter Chat on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Science Update •
NIMH Twitter Chat

Learn about post-traumatic stress disorder by joining NIMH’s Farris Tuma for a Twitter chat.

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NIMH’s Dr. Aleksandra Vicentic: Sleep Brain Wave Key to Conquering Fear Memories
Science Update •
Dr. Aleksandra Vicentic

An NIMH-funded research study in rats identifies a specific group of cells in the brainstem whose activation during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep helped in eradicating unwanted memories, paving the way for future therapeutics for these disorders.

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Threat Bias Interacts with Combat, Gene to Boost PTSD Risk
Press Release •
Dr. Daniel Pine

Excess attention to avoidance of threat – depending on the situation – can increase risk for PTSD, suggests a new study.

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President Obama Signs Executive Order to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families
Science Update •
White House logo.

President Obama signed an Executive Order directing key federal departments to expand suicide prevention strategies and take steps to meet the current and future demand for mental health and substance abuse treatment services for veterans, service members, and their families.

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Couple’s Therapy Appears to Decrease PTSD Symptoms, Improve Relationship
Science Update •
adult couple sitting on a bench

Among couples in which one partner was diagnosed as having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), participation in disorder-specific couple therapy resulted in decreased PTSD symptom severity and increased patient relationship satisfaction, compared with couples who were placed on a wait list for the therapy, according to a study in the August 15 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on violence and human rights.

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Posts About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Serving Those Who Served

By Thomas Insel on May 28, 2012

Serving Those Who Served

Recognizing Those Who Have Served

By Thomas Insel on November 10, 2011

For Veterans Day, Dr. Insel discusses meeting the mental health needs of those who have so honorably served our country.

Genomics: “The Future is Bright”

By Thomas Insel on March 01, 2011

As we mark the 10th anniversary of the human genome’s sequencing, the heightening pace of progress promises to a bright future for psychiatric genetics.

How Does Memory Work? The Plot Thickens

By Thomas Insel on February 10, 2011

Rapid progress in understanding how memory works – from the molecular to the behavioral level – holds promise for improved treatment of memory components of mental disorders.

Brain Scans – Not Quite Ready for Prime Time

By Thomas Insel on October 07, 2010

Despite promising advances as a research tool, brain imaging is not quite ripe for clinical application in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.


Meeting Summaries About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Risk Prediction
November 02, 2011
Baltimore, Maryland

On November 2, 2011, NIMH convened a group of experts in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and various domains of risk and resilience to assess existing and new data on risk assessment, to identify significant gap areas where additional focused research efforts might translate into major improvements, and to assess the readiness of the field for validation studies to refine practical tools that can be used in high risk prevention trials.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Women Returning from Combat
December 08, 2008
Washington, DC

The meeting brought together experts in the field to review sex and gender differences in PTSD, identified gaps in research, and generated ideas for new research approaches and initiatives.
Trauma Spectrum Disorders: The Role of Gender, Race, and Other Socioeconomic Factors
October 01, 2008 – October 02, 2008
Bethesda, Maryland

The meeting was convened to review existing science on trauma spectrum disorders related to military deployment, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
Design and Evaluation of Clinical Trials for PTSD: A VA, NIMH, DOD Working Group
January 22, 2008 – January 23, 2008
Rockville, Maryland

NIMH joined the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Research and Development, and the Department of Defense, Health Affairs, in organizing a two day working group to review, in the context of the recent IOM report, generally agreed upon standards for clinical trials in biomedical and behavioral research; discuss some of the clinical and research challenges associated with clinical trials for PTSD; and develop expert advice for surmounting these challenges in future intervention trials for PTSD.

Director’s Updates About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Tragedy at Fort Hood

November 06, 2009

The horrific events yesterday at Fort Hood leave many Americans stunned and saddened. For those closest to the events, there is both shock and trauma.

Coping with Hurricane Katrina

September 07, 2005

The initial response to a disaster like Hurricane Katrina rightly focuses on meeting the immediate material needs of survivors. As the nation addresses those needs, it must also prepare to meet the often acute emotional needs of both survivors and responders.