Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a psychiatric disorder caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event(s), such as abuse, accidents, war exposure, illness, or other distressing situations. It can result in flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance. 

According to the American Psychiatric Association, about 4% of US adults, and 8% of US adolescents ages 13-18 have PTSD¹. 

1. What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?. Psychiatry.org - What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? (n.d.). https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd

There are 4 core symptoms of PTSD:

  • Intrusion - people with PTSD experienced unwanted and involuntary thoughts regarding the event, such as memories, flashbacks, or nightmares.

  • Avoidance - people with PTSD may avoid people, places, and/or situations that remind them of the event.

  • Cognitive and Mood Changes - people with PTSD may present with depressive symptoms, emotional numbness, and/or a lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed. Patients may also experience ongoing anxiety, fear, or shame, as well as memory troubles.

  • Hyperreactivity - people with PTSD may experience hypervigilance (constantly feeling on “high alert”), angry outbursts, risky behavior, and general irritability.

TMS is a treatment option for those with PTSD. Low-frequency stimulation to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (RDLPFC) can help to decrease overactive circuits implicated in PTSD, reducing hypervigilance, anxiety, and “fight-or-flight”.