Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

It’s natural to experience emotional distress after witnessing or experiencing a life-threatening event such as a natural disaster, car accident, or sexual assault. Posttraumatic stress disorder is a disorder that can severely affect anxiety and emotional numbness. It can even cause distressing memories because of a traumatic event. Posttraumatic stress disorder is a sign of extreme stress and in no shape or form is it a sign of weakness in character.

Treatment is available. Understanding the signs and seeking help are the first steps of treatment.

Signs of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Like any other mental disorder, how posttraumatic stress disorder appears in individuals can be different. Do you have posttraumatic stress disorder? You may:

  • Experience "re-experiencing" signs. These can be bad memories, nightmares, or flashbacks.
  • Avoid people and situations that could trigger thoughts of the event. Or avoid speaking of the event altogether.
  • Have feelings of shame or guilt that get in the way of participating in things that used to bring you joy.

If you identify with any of the above, know that support and resources are available to you. You don’t have to suffer alone.

Therapies

There are many forms of therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. Per Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guidelines, recommended psychotherapies include:

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
  • Prolonged Exposure

TRICARE offers Mental Health Therapeutic Services. Visit the Mental Health Appointments page to learn how to set up an appointment. Follow guidance provided for Virtual Health Services available to you.

Additional Resources:

Support Resources:

If you or someone you know is experiencing any form of crisis:

  • Dial 988 and then press 1.
  • If you prefer to chat with someone online, visit the Military Crisis Line.
  • Prefer text communication? Text 838255.

Last Updated 9/30/2025