What condition is characterized by experiencing one or more traumatic events lasting longer than a month?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterized by the experience of one or more traumatic events that have a lasting impact on an individual's mental health and wellbeing. This condition is distinguished by a range of symptoms that persist for more than a month following the trauma, which can include intrusive memories, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, negative changes in mood and cognition, and heightened physiological arousal.

The key feature that sets PTSD apart from other anxiety-related disorders is the duration and nature of symptoms after a traumatic event. While Acute Stress Reaction refers to similar symptoms that occur in the immediate aftermath of trauma, this condition typically resolves within a few days to weeks. In contrast, PTSD maintains a longer duration, requiring symptoms to persist for more than a month for a formal diagnosis.

This distinction is critical in understanding PTSD as it also often involves significant distress and impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, marking it as a serious mental health condition that requires appropriate intervention and treatment strategies.