1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

2. Medical Definition From the MayoClinic: “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Many people who go through traumatic events have difficulty adjusting and coping for a while, but they don't have PTSD — with time and good self-care, they usually get better. But if the symptoms get worse or last for months or even years and interfere with your functioning, you may have PTSD.”

3. History Though humans have experienced trauma since the beginnings of humanity, PTSD has not always been understood in all cultures In the US, following WWI, PTSD was known as shell- shock and little support existed for veterans In 1980, PTSD was formally added to the DSM

4. Current Statistics Here are some facts (based on the U.S. population): About 7 or 8 out of every 100 people (or 7-8% of the population) will have PTSD at some point in their lives. About 5.2 million adults have PTSD during a given year. This is only a small portion of those who have gone through a trauma. About 10 of every 100 (or 10%) of women develop PTSD sometime in their lives compared with about 4 of every 100 (or 4%) of men. Learn more aboutwomen, trauma and PTSD.women, trauma and PTSD.

5. More Statistics The number of Veterans with PTSD varies by service era: Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF): About 11-20 out of every 100 Veterans (or between 11- 20%) who served in OIF or OEF have PTSD in a given year. Gulf War (Desert Storm): About 12 out of every 100 Gulf War Veterans (or 12%) have PTSD in a given year. Vietnam War: About 15 out of every 100 Vietnam Veterans (or 15%) were currently diagnosed with PTSD at the time of the most recent study in the late 1980s, the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS). It is estimated that about 30 out of every 100 (or 30%) of Vietnam Veterans have had PTSD in their lifetime.

6. Treatment Treatments do exist for PTSD, including pyschotherapy (cognitive, exposure) or medications (including antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications)