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posttraumatic

posttraumatic

5 5.5
Happening after a very upsetting event like an accident or surgery
  • adjective
  • /ˌpoʊsttrɔːˈmætɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : postraumático
  • The treatment group showed statistically significant gains in resiliency indicators and decreases in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.
  • Posttraumatic Stress
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
  • Posttraumatic Growth

Examples

  • Of critical importance is his writing about Vietnam and his status as a veteran suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Although they do not have veteran status, many have war injuries and severe depression or posttraumatic stress disorder.

    Academic text (1997)
  • In conclusion, positive outcomes such as posttraumatic growth are an area of interest for social work.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The board is claiming you have posttraumatic stress.

  • I think I'm having posttraumatic stress.

  • Even in the most extreme cases of posttraumatic stress, you get a tiny measure of the original person.

  • I'm not suffering from posttraumatic stress.

  • Fifteen participants with either high or low scores of posttraumatic growth were interviewed.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Another personality trait that has been associated with posttraumatic growth is optimism.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Many veterans struggle with posttraumatic stress after returning from combat.

Compounds

2 4.4

A long-lasting problem in the mind after a very frightening event that causes flashbacks, strong fear, and avoidance of reminders

posttraumatic amnesia
  • Specialized
1 8.7

Loss of memory for events that happen after a serious head injury

6.5

A condition in which seizures start after a head injury and happen again

Surface Forms

posttraumatic positive

Morphology

posttraumatic = traumatic (transparent) = post + trauma + ic

Formed by the productive prefix 'post-' meaning 'after' attached to the adjective 'traumatic', so the temporal relation is clear to learners who know both parts.

Etymology

Posttraumatic comes from the parts post- meaning 'after' and trauma meaning 'wound' or serious harm, so it describes problems that happen after a traumatic event, like stress or anxiety following an accident.