Causes of Post-traumatic stress disorder

List of causes of Post-traumatic stress disorder

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Post-traumatic stress disorder) that could possibly cause Post-traumatic stress disorder includes:

• Terrifying ordeal - violent attacks, war, assault, rape, torture, kidnapping, etc.
• Child abuse
• Serious accidents
• Natural disasters - e.g. earthquake, flood, hurricanes, etc.
• Manmade disaster - e.g. plane crash, bombing, etc.

Causes of Post-traumatic stress disorder: Online Medical Books

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Posttraumatic stress disorder: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

PTSD occurs in response to an extremely distressing event, including a serious threat of harm to the patient or his family, such as war, abuse, or violent crime. It may be triggered by sudden destruction of his home or community by a bombing, fire, flood, tornado, earthquake, or similar disaster. It may also follow witnessing the death or serious injury of another person by torture, in a death camp, by natural disaster, or by a motor vehicle or airplane crash.

Preexisting psychopathology can predispose some patients to this disorder, but anyone can develop it, especially if the stressor is extreme.

Any person who has experienced traumatic relocation due to such events as rioting or other civil strife, extreme natural disasters, or war should be assessed for signs of PTSD.

PTSD can occur at any age. Most cases resolve 3 months after the traumatic event, but some cases can last for years.

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Traumatic amputation: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Traumatic amputations usually result directly from accidents involving factory, farm, power tools, or motor vehicles. Natural disasters, wars, and terrorist attacks can also cause traumatic amputations.

Below the knee amputations account for 53% of traumatic leg amputations; with about 33% above the knee. Lower limb amputations account for 91.7% of traumatic amputations. Incidence of below the elbow amputation is 4.4%, and above the elbow amputations account for 2%.

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Posttraumatic stress disorder: Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)

Posttraumatic stress disorder occurs in response to an extremely distressing event, including a serious threat of harm to the patient or his family, such as war, abuse, violent crime, or natural disaster. It may be triggered by sudden destruction of his home or community by a bombing, fire, flood, tornado, earthquake, or similar disaster. It may also occur after the patient witnesses the death or serious injury of another person by torture, in a death camp, by natural disaster, or by a motor vehicle or airplane crash.

Preexisting psychopathology can predispose some patients to this disorder, but anyone can develop it, especially if the stressor is extreme.

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Amputation, traumatic: Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)

Traumatic amputations usually result directly from accidents at a factory or farm, or from power tools or motor vehicle accidents.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder as a symptom:

Conditions listing Post-traumatic stress disorder as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Post-traumatic stress disorder. Our database lists the following as having Post-traumatic stress disorder as a symptom of that condition:

• Gulf War syndrome

What causes Post-traumatic stress disorder?

Article excerpts about the causes of Post-traumatic stress disorder:
PTSD, once referred to as shell shock or battle fatigue, was first brought to public attention by war veterans, but it can result from any number of traumatic incidents. These include kidnapping, serious accidents such as car or train wrecks, natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes, violent attacks such as a mugging, rape, torture, or being held captive. The event that triggers it may be something that threatened the person’s life or the life of someone close to her or him. Or it could be something witnessed, such as mass destruction after a plane crash or a terrorist incident. (Source: excerpt from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: NWHIC)

Related information on causes of Post-traumatic stress disorder:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Post-traumatic stress disorder may be found in:

• Risk factors for Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Hidden causes of Post-traumatic stress disorder