Determinants of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Pakistan's population has been greatly affected by psychological stressors on daily basis such as suicide bombing, target killing, street crimes, earth quakes, and floods.. Unavailability of coping resources and shortage of mental health professionals has increased the prevalence of mental disorders in Pakistan. This paper aims to provide a brief overview of situation in Pakistan, leading to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Natural as well as man-made disasters in Pakistan have increased the prevalence of PTSD among the survivors and rescue workers. Socioeconomic, exposure, socio-cultural, appraisal, and personality factors are found to be key determinants of PTSD.