What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

June 30, 2013 - Posted By mjones

Post traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, is a pyschiatric disorder that occurs following the experiencing or witnessing of a traumatic and life-threatening event such as military combat, physical or sexual assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, etc.

People who suffer from PTSD often relive the traumatic experience through nightmares or flashbacks. Other symptoms may include difficulty sleeping, feelings of estrangement or detachment, outbursts of anger or irratability and difficulty concentrating.

Around 30 percent of men and women who have spent time in war zones experience PTSD. It’s estimated that between 6 and 11 percent of troops who served in Afghanistan experience PTSD. For troops who served in Iraq, current estimates range from 12 to 20 percent.

If you suspect that you or a loved one suffers from PTSD, take this PTSD self-test. If you have suffered a traumatic event and answered ‘yes’ to some of the questions, discuss them with your doctor immediately.

If you are a veteran in an immediate crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, press 1 (or text 838255). You can also use the Veterans Crisis Line chatroom to chat with a counselor online.

For other resources about PTSD care for veterans, military and families, visit this resource guide provided by the National Center for PTSD.