Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Family Medicine Approach

Studies show that more than two-thirds of the general population may experience trauma at least once in their lifetime.[1] Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the most common psychopathological consequence of exposure to traumatic events.[2] Without a vaccine or effective medical treatments, an unrecognized epidemic of infection such as COVID-19 can be defined as a traumatic experience in terms of acute and chronic effects at the individual and community level. This pandemic has once again demonstrated the central role of family medicine in the health system. On one hand, family physicians taking an active role in informing the society, triage of patients and referral to hospitals, when necessary, prevents excessive burden on hospitals and the health system and consuming resources, on the other hand, they play an important role in creating the most needed sense of trust in the crisis. This article summarizes the information about trauma, PTSD, PTSD in COVID-19 pandemic and PTSD approach in Family Medicine.