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    Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

    创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）

    Clinical diagnosis
    Also called
    PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder, complex PTSD, complex post-traumatic stress disorder, CPTSD

    What is post-traumatic stress disorder?

    Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after an extremely threatening or horrific event. Its core is threefold: reliving the trauma as if it were happening now, deliberately avoiding reminders, and a persistent sense of current threat.[1] The symptoms last at least several weeks and clearly impair daily life.[1]

    Afterward

    ICD-11’s three core elements: all required, lasting at least several weeks

    Schematic, not a self-test.

    Select a box for details.
    Schematic, not a self-test. After a trauma most people’s acute reactions fade; only when all three core elements appear, last for weeks and disrupt life might it be PTSD, and only a professional can make that call. The small labels under the cards give the matching DSM-5-TR clusters. The bar in the middle is drawn to scale. Select a part for details. Select a part for details
    Schematic, not a self-test. After a trauma most people’s acute reactions fade; only when all three core elements appear, last for weeks and disrupt life might it be PTSD, and only a professional can make that call. The small labels under the cards give the matching DSM-5-TR clusters. The bar in the middle is drawn to scale. Select a part for details. Save as image (PNG)

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    Key points

    • DSM-5-TR uses four clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and altered arousal and reactivity, lasting over a month.[2] ICD-11 keeps only the three core elements above.[1]
    • Of adults in 24 countries who had faced trauma, 5.6% ever had PTSD, 0.5% in Beijing and Shanghai.[3] Severe or repeated trauma, little support afterward and childhood adversity raise the risk.[2]
    • ICD-11’s complex PTSD usually follows prolonged or repeated trauma that is hard to escape: on top of PTSD, emotion regulation, self-worth and relationships are severely affected.[1][4]
    • NICE advises individual trauma-focused CBT for adults, usually 8 to 12 sessions; three months after trauma not related to combat, EMDR is also offered.[4]

    An example

    Six months ago Jay lived through a strong earthquake; his family is safe. Now, when a heavy truck rattles the windows, he feels back in the swaying building, heart racing, body shaking. He avoids all quake news and wakes at the slightest sound. Whether he needs help depends on whether this persists and disrupts his life.[1]

    Misreadings and limits

    In the first days or weeks after a trauma, intrusive images, poor sleep and jumpiness are common and usually ease; this alone is not PTSD.[1][2] This page is not for self-diagnosis. If reactions last over a month or disrupt life, or thoughts of self-harm appear, see a doctor or mental health professional soon; PTSD is treatable.[2][4]

    If you need help now

    If you’re struggling to cope or having thoughts of harming yourself:

    If you’re in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.

    Psyfield is not a crisis service. Numbers checked October 2026.

    Sources

    1. 1 World Health Organization (2025). 6B40 Post traumatic stress disorder. ICD-11 for mortality and morbidity statistics (2025-01 release). View source
    2. 2 American Psychiatric Association (2025). What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?. Psychiatry.org (physician review March 2025). View source
    3. 3 Koenen, K. C., Ratanatharathorn, A., Ng, L., McLaughlin, K. A., Bromet, E. J., Stein, D. J., Karam, E. G., Meron Ruscio, A., Benjet, C., Scott, K., Atwoli, L., Petukhova, M., Lim, C. C. W., Aguilar-Gaxiola, S., Al-Hamzawi, A., Alonso, J., Bunting, B., Ciutan, M., de Girolamo, G., … Kessler, R. C. (2017). Posttraumatic stress disorder in the World Mental Health Surveys. Psychological Medicine, 47(13), 2260–2274. doi:10.1017/S0033291717000708
    4. 4 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder (NG116). NICE guideline (published December 5, 2018). View source

    Last checked against sources: October 28, 2026