Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD develops after traumatic exposure and features intrusive re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal, and negative cognitions. The amygdala is hyperactive while hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex show reduced volume and activity — impairing context discrimination and fear extinction. HPA axis dysregulation produces elevated cortisol reactivity. EMDR and prolonged exposure therapy leverage reconsolidation windows; MDMA-assisted therapy shows promise in clinical trials.