Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety that can develop after a person has either been exposed to a terrifying event or has watched other people go through such an ordeal.
PSTD first gained public attention when it was identified in earlier war veterans (as "shell shock" and "battle fatigue"). It is now afflicting many soldiers returning from military combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Combat, however, is not the only way one can acquire this long-term form of anxiety. PTSD can affect those who suffer a violent personal assault, such as rape; an injury from an automobile accident; the threat of physical harm during a robbery; or exposure to a natural disaster, like a tornado, or a man-made disaster, like the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York City.
The prevalence of PTSD is difficult to determine because some of its symptoms mimic those of more common disorders, such as depression and generalized anxiety. Some sources estimate that as many as 8 million Americans are affected by PTSD.
Symptoms of PTSD include:
- Repeatedly reliving the trauma in flashbacks, nightmares, or daydreams
- Avoiding situations that are reminders, or "memory triggers," of the original trauma
- Increased symptoms on anniversaries of the trauma
- Greater irritability, aggressiveness, and insomnia; an exaggerated startle reaction; and increased vigilance
- Emotional numbness, difficulty expressing affection, and loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities
- Substance abuse, self-injurious behavior, and suicide attempts
Although PTSD symptoms can occur soon after the traumatic event, they may be delayed by 6 months or longer. A diagnosis of PTSD is usually made only when symptoms continue for at least a month. If symptoms persist for 6 months or longer, the disorder is considered to be chronic PTSD.
