Here’s a glossary of terms related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

1. PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder): A mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event, causing flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.
2. Trauma: A deeply distressing or disturbing experience, often leading to psychological symptoms such as PTSD.
3. Flashbacks: Recurrent, involuntary memories of a traumatic event that feel as if the event is happening again.
4. Triggers: Stimuli that remind a person of a traumatic event, often leading to intense emotional and physical reactions.
5. Nightmares: Disturbing dreams related to a traumatic event, often causing sleep disturbances and distress.
6. Hyperarousal: A state of increased sensitivity to potential threats, leading to hypervigilance, irritability, and difficulty sleeping.
7. Avoidance: A coping mechanism where a person avoids places, people, or activities that remind them of a traumatic event.
8. Depersonalization: A feeling of being disconnected from oneself, often experienced as if observing one’s own actions from outside the body.
9. Derealization: A feeling of detachment from one’s surroundings, often experienced as if the world is unreal or distorted.
10. Emotional Numbness: A feeling of being emotionally detached or numb, often used as a coping mechanism to deal with overwhelming emotions.
11. Hypervigilance: An enhanced state of alertness and sensitivity to potential threats, often leading to anxiety and difficulty relaxing.
12. Re-experiencing Symptoms: Symptoms of PTSD that involve reliving the traumatic event, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
13. Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted, distressing thoughts or memories related to a traumatic event that intrude into consciousness.
14. Startle Response: An exaggerated response to sudden or unexpected stimuli, often seen in individuals with PTSD.
15. Avoidance Behavior: Actions taken to avoid reminders of a traumatic event, such as avoiding certain places or situations.
16. Survivor Guilt: Feelings of guilt experienced by individuals who have survived a traumatic event while others did not.
17. Cognitive Restructuring: A therapeutic technique used to challenge and change negative thought patterns associated with PTSD.
18. Exposure Therapy: A type of therapy where the individual is gradually exposed to the source of their fear or trauma in a safe and controlled environment.
19. Dissociation: A disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, and memory, often used as a defense mechanism against trauma.
20. CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): A type of therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
21. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): A therapy that uses eye movements to help process traumatic memories and reduce their impact.
22. Support Group: A group of individuals who share similar experiences and provide mutual support, often beneficial for those with PTSD.
23. Resilience: The ability to adapt and cope with adversity, often seen in individuals who have experienced trauma.
24. Psychological First Aid: Immediate assistance provided to individuals affected by trauma to reduce initial distress and promote coping skills.
25. Secondary Trauma: Trauma experienced by individuals who are indirectly exposed to a traumatic event, such as first responders or caregivers.