An extreme traumatic event is an event that a person mayexperience, see, or learn about and that causes intense fear, 
helplessness, and horror. The event involves actual or threatened death or serious injury, or threats of harm to 
oneself or to others.

                           For example, a person may be:
                               * Physically attacked, as in cases of domestic violence or rape
                               * Injured in a serious car, plane, or train accident
                               * Hurt or traumatized by a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, flood, or tornado
                               * Told about the sudden, unexpected death of a loved one

In some people, an extreme traumatic event may lead to a condition known as posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. 
The acute stress of a traumatic event causes chemical reactions in the brain as well as physical symptoms. Some
people who experience these symptoms may develop PTSD. Some examples of situations that may be associated 
with PTSD include:

                               * A woman who survived a terrible car accident 3 years ago hears an ambulance siren
                                  in the distance. She shakes uncontrollably, her heart starts pounding rapidly, and her
                                  palms sweat

                               * A man who was mugged and severely beaten on a darkened street is "extremely
                                  jumpy" and avoids leaving his home, especially at night

                              * Two years have passed since a woman lost her home and everything in it during a
                                  flash flood. But she still has nightmares about floods, and she has severe problems
                                  falling asleep and staying asleep whenever overnight rain is in the weather forecast
 

PSTD  Can Affect Anyone
In the past, many people believed that only soldiers or other people who had been in a war could get PTSD. Because of
that, years ago, PTSD was commonly  called "combat fatigue" or "shell shock." But, based on new research, doctors 
and other healthcare professionals are learning that all kinds of people from different backgrounds can have traumatic
experiences that can — and sometimes do — lead to PTSD.

Although most people who experience an extreme traumatic event will not develop PTSD, as many as 1 out of 13 
Americans will get PTSD at some point during their lives. Slightly more than 1 out of 10 women in the U.S. will get 
PTSD. The good news is that, in many cases, PTSD can be treated successfully.
 

Women May Get PTSD More Often Than Men
Most of the available studies provide evidence that women get PTSD more often than men after being exposed to a 
traumatic event. In these studies, women appear to be about twice as likely as men to eventually get PTSD. One possible
explanation for this difference is that women and men usually experience very different types of traumatic events.

                           For example, one study showed that women may be more likely to be:
                               * Raped
                               * Sexually molested
                               * Neglected by parents during childhood
                               * Physically abused during childhood

In short, some doctors believe that women may have a higher prevalence of PTSD because the types of traumatic events
that they experience are more likely to be associated with personal violence (such as rape and sexual molestation) than the 
events that men usually report.Also, the types of traumatic events that women experience often tend to happen repeatedly,
especially in childhood.
 

Recognizing PTSD
People who have PTSD should know that this is a medical condition, an illness as real as diabetes or arthritis.
This condition is not a sign of personal weakness. The symptoms of this condition are not "all in your head" or
"imaginary."

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

A person who has experienced an extreme trauma may be diagnosed with PTSD if he or she has a certain number of
symptoms from each of three symptom groups: re-experiencing, avoidance/numbing, and hyperarousal. These symptoms
must last for more than 1 month and must cause severeproblems or distress in personal life, work life, or other important 
areas of daily living.

Re-experiencing — one or more of the following:
                                   *  Frequent, sudden, and upsetting memories about the event, including certain
                                       images and thoughts about the event
                                   *  Repeated distressing dreams about the event
                                   *  Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were happening again (includes
                                       reliving, such as having flashbacks about the event)
                                   *  Strong mental and emotional pain when seeing people, places, or other
                                       reminders of the event
                                   *  Physical reactions (such as shakiness, chills, heart beating fast) when seeing
                                       people, places, or other reminders of the event

Avoidance and numbing — three or more of the following:
                                   *  Making efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the event
                                   *  Making efforts to avoid activities, places, or people that are reminders of the event
                                   *  Not being able to remember important details about the event
                                   *  No longer enjoying or taking part in activities once enjoyed
                                   *  Feeling detached or removed from family and friends
                                   *  Having feelings of emotional numbness that others may notice
                                   *  Believing that certain important life goals (such as marriage, parenthood, or
                                       growing older) will not be fulfilled

Hyperarousal — two or more of the following:
                                   *  Problems falling asleep or staying asleep
                                   *  Angry outbursts or being irritable
                                   *  Problems concentrating
                                   *  Feeling "overly alert"
                                   *  Being "overly startled"
 

Appearance of PTSD Symptoms
Symptoms of PTSD usually start to appear within several weeks of the traumatic event.  However, some people may 
not have any symptoms for months or years after the traumatic event.
 

PTSD — and the Possibility of Other Conditions
Sometimes people with PTSD also may have another medical condition, such as:
                                   * Another anxiety disorder
                                   * Major depression

Also, people with PTSD may try to numb their feelings by "self-medicating" with alcoholand/or drugs.
In addition, some people with PTSD have physical complaints along with PTSD symptoms. These people often 
go to their doctors seeking treatment for these symptoms, which may include:
                                   * Stomach pains; alternating constipation/diarrhea
                                   *  Respiratory problems
                                   *  Headaches
                                   *  Muscle cramps or aches
                                   *  Low back pain
                                   *  Cardiovascular problems

 If you have one or more of these conditions, along with the symptoms of PTSD discussed earlier, be sure to talk to 
a healthcare professional. Only a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional can evaluate your overall condition
to determine whether you have a medical disorder and to make a diagnosis of PTSD.

 If you think you or someone you know may suffer from PTSD, take the simple Self-Quiz on this site. Your answers to the
Self-Quiz can help your doctor or other healthcare professional to learn if you may have symptoms of PTSD. Only a doctor
or other qualified healthcare professional can make a diagnosis of PTSD.