DEAR DOCTOR K: For years I took antidepressants, but they didn’t really help my depression. Then a new doctor diagnosed me with hypothyroidism. Once I started taking thyroid medication, the depression lifted. What’s the connection?

DEAR DOCTOR K: A few months ago I was in a serious car accident. Since then I’ve been incredibly jumpy and have trouble sleeping. My wife thinks I may have PTSD. Could she be right? DEAR READER: Post-traumatic stress disorder — PTSD — is a condition in which distressing symptoms occur after a major trauma. PTSD is often discussed in the context of troops who have served in war zones, but you don’t have to see battle to get PTSD.