Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious anxiety disorder that develops as a result of seeing or living through a terrifying event, such as a natural disaster, an unexpected death, war, or sexual assault. Most people who experience or witness a traumatic event may encounter feelings that include panic, shock, rage, fear, and shame, which are common reactions and go away in time. On the other hand, for someone with PTSD these feelings only increase and affect their day-to-day life. Symptoms of PTSD include severe anxiety, flashbacks, unwanted and uncontrollable thoughts, and nightmares.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a bump, slam, jerk, or other head injury causes damage to the brain. TBI can also occur when an object like a bullet or skull fragment pierces the head. Complications due to TBI are broad, including impairment to thinking, language, emotions, and sensation. Mild TBI can cause short-term dysfunction, such as blurred vision, dizziness, confusion, headaches, ringing in the ears, disrupted sleep, mood changes, trouble with memory, and fatigue, while severe TBI can lead to vomiting, slurred speech, seizures, confusion, distress, clumsiness, permanent damage, and death. Millions of people every year in the U.S. suffer from brain injuries and half of those are a result of motor vehicle accidents. Studies have also found that military personnel are at a higher risk.

Keywords: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI, traumatic event, anxiety, flashbacks, seizures, mood changes, health care needs, psychologist, help

---

Online Resources

Symptoms of PTSD
Web MD

Ways to cope with PTSD
Mayo Clinic

Do children react differently than adults?
National Institute of Mental Health

Symptoms of TBI
Mayo Clinic

What causes TBI?
Traumatic Brain Injury.com

What Can I do to Help Prevent Concussion and other forms of TBI?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What are symptoms of PTSD?
Mayo Clinic