Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental disorder that affects roughly 7-8% of the population, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. 

 PTSD is a trauma or stressor-related disorder. People suffering from PTSD experience a certain set of symptoms brought on by a traumatic event or series of traumatic events. 

 Though PTSD is most commonly associated with people who have served in the military, anyone who goes through a traumatic experience is at risk for developing it. 

 The American Psychiatric Association defines PTSD this way:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, or rape or who have been threatened with death, sexual violence or serious injury.

 Populations commonly exposed to traumatic events have a higher average of PTSD than the average citizen. 

 For instance, those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF) returned with a 10-20% rate of PTSD. Of those who served in the Vietnam War, around 15% were diagnosed with PTSD.  

 In this eBook we will expand on this topic, taking a closer look at the history of PTSD, main causes and symptoms of PTSD, and the treatments available for those suffering from PTSD.