PTSD Test, Treatment & Coping with Flashbacks What is PTSD Post traumatic stress disorder (also known as PTSD ) is, as the name suggests, a type of anxiety disorder brought on by a particular traumatic event. The most widely known example of this is soldiers returning from war after witnessing or being involved in some horrific situation, but there are many causes such as physical trauma, sexual abuse, mental abuse, death of a friend or family member, rape etc. Following exposure to a tragic event an individual could be at risk of developing emotional distress and anxiety which if left unchecked can bring about the dreaded post traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is classified as an intense anxiety disorder triggered by traumatic experiences and its symptoms are believed to last longer than four weeks. Although trauma stressors are the underlying cause, post traumatic stress disorder can develop immediately after exposure or in some cases, long after the traumatic experience