These traumatic events may include combat, serious accidents, violent attacks, and natural disasters.

During and following the event a series of symptoms develop. At the time of the trauma the victim may feel emotionally detached and numb. Thereafter flashbacks of the event begin to plague the victim. These can happen suddenly and without warning. They may even occur during sleep in the form of nightmares.

People suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder experience psychosocial symptoms that make it difficult to hold down jobs and maintain relationships. They feel and act estranged and emotionally distant. The condition often occurs with related disorders like depression, anxiety and substance abuse. There is evidence of physiological and neurological symptoms of the disease that cause problems with memory and cognition as well as other mental and physical health problems.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is not a new psychiatric illness. Evidence of the condition has been found in records dating from the Civil War, World War II and amongst Holocaust survivors. Despite this it was only fairly recently when Vietnam Veterans were observed that research and documentation began in earnest.

Since then it has been found that PTSD can occur in any cultural or socio economic context. It affects children as well as adults and men as well as women. The National Center for PTSD reports that 30% of individuals who have spent time in war zones suffer from the debilitating condition.  Present treatment consists of a combination of psychotherapy and medication.