What Is Post-Traumatic Stress?

For some people, frightening memories of a terrible event can resurface months or even years after the ordeal. In reliving the event, people become fearful and unable to cope with daily life. Mental health experts call this post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a type of anxiety disorder.

It is seen in soldier who have been in a wartime situation, but it can also occur in people who have experienced traumatic life events, such as a serious accident, interpersonal violence, or domestic abuse.

Those at risk

People who are at risk for developing PTSD include:

• Children who are neglected or abused

• Survivors of terrible accidents, fires, or natural disasters

• Emergency response workers, such as police, firefighters, and medical professionals

• Victims or veterans of war

Telltale symptoms

People with PTSD feel anxious and hyper-alert, “like their life is out of control,” says Esther Giller, M.A., president and director of the Sidran Institute, an organization that helps people with trauma-generated mental health problems. “They know something is wrong, but they often don’t connect what they’re feeling now to a traumatic event in their past." In an attempt to feel safe, they withdraw emotionally from others.

These are other signs of PTSD:

• Frequent nightmares, flashbacks, or other vivid memories of the event

• Being unable to recall parts of the event

• Avoiding any reminders of the event, including people, places, thoughts, or activities

• Feeling constantly on guard or edgy and starting at loud or sudden sounds or bright lights

The most effective treatment for PTSD is a combination of professional counseling and medication. Because people with this condition tend to isolate themselves, “family members play a vital role in encouraging victims to get the help they need. With treatment, people can feel better very quickly,” Giller says. Talking with a family doctor or mental health professional is a good place to start.

For more information, visit the National Center for PTSD Web site , part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.