among inner-city youths and people who have recently emigrated from troubled countries. Studies suggest that anywhere between 2 percent and 9 percent of the population has had some degree of PTSD. Veterans are perhaps the people most often associated with PTSD, or what was once referred to as "shell shock" or "battle fatigue." Also, women seem to develop PTSD more often than men.
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America notes that an estimated 15 percent to 30 percent of the 3.5 million men and women who served in Vietnam have suffered from PTSD.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD usually appears within 3 months of the trauma, but can appear later. PTSD’s symptoms fall into three categories:

• Intrusion

• Avoidance

• Increased arousal

• Intrusion

In people with PTSD, memories of the trauma reoccur unexpectedly, and episodes called "flashbacks" intrude into their current lives. This occurs in sudden, vivid memories that are followed by painful emotions that take over the victim’s attention. This re-experience of the trauma is a recollection. It may be so strong that individuals almost feel like they are actually experiencing the trauma again.

Avoidance
Avoidance symptoms affect relationships with others. The person often avoids close emotional ties with family, colleagues and friends. At first, the person feels numb, has diminished emotions and can complete only routine, mechanical activities. Later, when re-experiencing the event, the individual may bounce between the flood of emotions caused by re-experiencing and unable to feel or express emotions at all. The person with PTSD avoids situations or activities that are reminders of the original traumatic event because such exposure may cause symptoms to worsen.

The inability of people with PTSD to work out grief and anger over injury or loss during the traumatic event means the trauma can continue to affect their behavior without their being aware of it. Depression is a common result of this inability to resolve painful feelings. Some people also feel guilty because they survived a disaster while others did not.

Increased arousal
PTSD can cause those who have it to act as if they are constantly threatened by the trauma that caused their illness. They can become suddenly irritable or aggressive, even when they are not provoked. They may have trouble concentrating or remembering current information, and, because of their terrifying nightmares, one may develop insomnia. This constant feeling that danger is near causes exaggerated startle reactions.

Finally, many people with PTSD also attempt to rid themselves of their painful re-experiences, loneliness and panic attacks by abusing alcohol or other drugs. They feel this helps them to blunt their pain and forget the trauma temporarily. A person with PTSD may show poor control over his or her impulses and may be at risk for suicide.

How is PTSD treated?
Today, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals have good success in treating the very real and painful effects of PTSD. These professionals use a variety of treatment methods to help people with PTSD to work through their trauma and pain:
Behavior therapy - teaching people with PTSD relaxation techniques and examining the mental processes that are causing the problem.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy - helping the individual examine personal values and how behavior and experience during the traumatic event affected them.
Family therapy – Is recommended because PTSD can have a huge negative affect on ones children and spouse.
Discussion groups or peer-counseling groups- Group member’s help one another realize that many people would have done the same thing and felt the same emotions.
Medication- Antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications may help lessen symptoms of PTSD such as sleep problems (insomnia or nightmares), depression and edginess