A type of anxiety disorder characterized by the development of severe dissociative, intrusive, avoidant, and hyperarousal symptoms in response to actual or threatened injury or death or after someone witnesses the serious injury or killing of another person. These symptoms usually develop within 1 month of the event and are associated with an elevated risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The emotional and behavioral consequences of a sudden alteration in one’s sense of safety. They include intense anxiety, fear or helplessness, or dissociative symptoms.