For the past eight or nine years, we have been hearing about a seemingly new disorder. This disorder is known as post-traumatic stress. We hear on the news that a veteran hurt his family and that this disorder is the cause. We have seen the countless reports of how many divorces are caused by post-traumatic stress. Just by reading the reports and watching the news, one can conclude that this is a disorder caused by war. PTSD is not a diagnosis just for veterans. It is a disorder that can affect anyone and their family. In this article, we will discuss what post-traumatic stress is and how it affects people whether or not they have been to war. Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal. where serious physical harm has occurred or been threatened. This is how the National Institute of Mental Health defines post-traumatic stress. Given this definition, it is easy to understand how veterans have become the face of this disorder. However, they are not the only ones who are at risk of being diagnosed with PTSD. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America estimates that 7.7 million Americans ages 18 and older suffer from PTSD. Having been in the military, the vast majority of my friends are or were military. In fact, I can probably count on one hand the number of people I consider friends who have never been in the military. Many of my friends suffer from post-traumatic stress. The stories they can tell will make you believe they are from a horror movie. I assure you it was real; none of their stories are made up. It's documented and they have the medals to prove it. Before I left the military, I was stationed at camp...... middle of paper ...... because taking such care of a post-traumatic person is so stressful that it's a good idea to consider talking to someone when the stress becomes too much. In conclusion, PTSD is a disorder caused by any traumatic event, not just veterans. It is important to look for signs that a person may be suffering from this disorder and simply does not feel the desire to seek help because they think they are fine. It is not only a disorder that affects the person diagnosed, but it also affects the family member who tries to help treat it. So the best we can do is pay attention and do what we can to help. /www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/effects-ptsd-family.asphttp://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd