Victims of assault or other crimes may experience strong stress reactions, intense anxiety, and flashbacks to their attacks from environmental cues that remind them of being attacked and helpless. If these become frequent, intense, and debilitating, the person may be diagnosed as suffering from

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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by exposure to a traumatic event, such as assault or crime, which causes symptoms of intense fear, helplessness, or horror. The person may experience flashbacks, nightmares, and/or avoid stimuli associated with the traumatic event. Therefore, PTSD is the most appropriate diagnosis for victims of assault or other crimes who suffer from frequent, intense, and debilitating stress reactions, anxiety, and flashbacks.

Victims of Assault or Other Crimes May Experience Strong Stress