PTSD1

What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder or emotional illness that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event. PTSD develops as a result of a terribly frightening, life-threatening, or otherwise highly unsafe experience. These events can include:
- Combat or military exposure
- Natural disasters, such as a fire, tornado, hurricane, flood, or earthquake.
- Child sexual or physical abuse
- Terrorist attacks
- Serious accidents, such as a car wreck.
- Sexual or physical assault
The more severe the trauma and the longer the person is exposed to it, the greater the likelihood of developing PTSD. Other important facts about PTSD include the estimate of 5 million people who suffer from PTSD at any one time in the United States and the fact that women are twice as likely to develop PTSD as men.