Copyright 2009 - Benefiting Veterans

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is also
sometimes referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder, is
an anxiety disorder. This disorder can occur after an
individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic event.
A traumatic event can range from combat, terrorist
incidents, natural disasters, physical or sexual assaults
and more. These experiences can occur as a child or
adult and in some cases the initial trauma happened
years ago and may have been triggered by another
incident or occurrence.

Those with PTSD can experience three kinds of
symptoms. It may begin with reliving the traumatic
event(s) in some way. It could be dreams, daydreams,
flashes during awake hours or something triggers their
memory and a possible flashback. The next symptoms
are avoidance of people, places and things that remind
them (or that they think may remind them) of the
traumatic event(s). The last group of symptoms are
feelings such as anxiety, panic, irritability, on guard,
depression, dyslexia, concentration issues, etc.

There are many ways to get PTSD, many ways to exhibit
symptoms and many ways to treat and cope with PTSD
so if you or a loved one is experiencing these or other
symptoms and you suspect PTSD please email or call
us and we can refer you to local resources that can get
you a diagnosis. For VA claims, support or other
resources relating to PTSD please feel free to call or
email as well.

PTSD left untreated can turn devastating, even deadly.
This can also cause family, addiction and other issues
not immediately related to the PTSD but are affected by
it. Many people have severe misconceptions about PTSD
but these should not affect your decision regarding
seeking help. People young and old can experience
symptoms, and race is not an issue either. Medication is
not always required and sometimes it is only temporary.
To find out more please contact us and we will be happy to
answer questions. All contact is confidential and we
follow very strict ethics guidelines.