Q. What is PTSD?

A. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a debilitating condition that often follows a terrifying physical or emotional event causing the person who survived the event to have persistent, frightening thoughts and memories, or flashbacks, of the ordeal. Persons with PTSD often feel chronically, emotionally numb. Once referred to as "shell shock" or "battle fatigue."

In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association officially recognized Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome, more commonly referred to as PTSD, as a mental illness that affects many Combat veterans. In earlier wars it was referred to as “shell shock” or “combat fatigue.”

Q. What triggers PTSD to develop?

A. The event(s) that triggers PTSD may be: 

(a) something that occurred in the person's life 
(b) something that occurred in the life of someone close to him or her 
(c) something the person witnessed 

Examples include: 

(a) serious accidents (such as car or train wrecks) 
(b) natural disasters (such as floods or earthquakes) 
(c) man-made tragedies (such as bombings, a plane crash) 
(d) violent personal attacks (such as a mugging, rape, torture, being held captive, or kidnapping) 
(e) military combat 
(f) abuse in childhood 

Q. What are the characteristics of PTSD:

A. People with PTSD experience extreme emotional, mental, and physical distress when exposed to situations that remind them of the traumatic event. Some people repeatedly relive the trauma in the form of nightmares and disturbing recollections during the day. They may also experience: 

(a) sleep problems 
(b) depression 
(c) feeling detached or numb 
(d) feeling jittery or on guard 
(e) being easily startled 
(f) loss of interest in things they used to enjoy 
(g) trouble feeling affectionate 
(h) feeling irritable, more aggressive than before, or even violent 
(i) avoidance of certain places or situations that bring back memories 

Q. What are the symptoms of PTSD:

A. Symptoms may be mild or severe, including; 

(a) irritability 
(b) violent outbursts 
(c) trouble working or socializing 
(d) flashbacks or intrusive images (A person having a flashback, which can come in the form of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, usually believes that the traumatic event is happening all over again.) 
(e) losing touch with reality 
(f) reenacting the event for a period of seconds or hours or, very rarely, days 

Q. What you can do to help yourself 

A. Understanding what you’re feeling and taking positive steps can help you cope. Talk to a professional. Treatment will help. Stop drinking or using drugs. This is a common way to cope with upsetting trauma symptoms, but it actually leads to more problems.

Q. Where can I go for help?
A. If your feeling suicidal, PLEASE call 911 or a suicide hot-line. Here are a couple of National numbers you can call. 1-800-784-2433 or 1-800-273-8255. Remember, these are "National" numbers. Ask them if they have a number closer to where you live.

You can contact a Vet Center  near you. 

The most important thing is to get help!