OMG PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a very serious and sometimes long term psychological disorder. This disorder is not bias or stereotypical, as anyone can be diagnosed with this horrific disorder. Several things can trigger this feeling of danger when one is not actually in harm. For example, witnessing a murder, being in war, rape, torture, car accidents, or natural disasters. and many other unpleasant experiences. When we are afraid, our body changes in order to protect ourselves. This sensation is called "fight-or-flight." However, when one person has PTSD, this reaction is altered, according to http://www.nimh.nih.gov/.
The symptoms of PTSD can be disturbing to the patient and to the people around the patient. Some of the most common symptoms are vivid, reoccurring flashbacks of the incident. This can make the patient feel like they are back in the situation and is a horrible memory for them. Nightmares are also a symptom, waking the person in night and not allowing them to have a good night's sleep like other people would. The patient diagnosed will also avoid places or areas where the event occurred, or something similar. They will sometimes lose interest in activities, become depressed, and constantly feel on the edge.
How serious is this disorder? Roughly 7.7 million American adults are diagnosed, although anyone at any age can be diagnosed. Although veterans diagnosed with PTSD are most well known for being diagnosed with this disorder because of the sights and dangers that they were surrounded by during their time in the war.