Posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur secondary to exposure to stressors that are outside of the usual range of human experience. The main traumatic events for women are rape, childhood physical abuse and physical assault. In addition, experiences of traumatic childbirth, complicated pregnancy and stressful events can also result in significant psychological impairments in the postpartum period and can be a cause of PTSD.