Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can happen in people who have experienced first-hand or even simply witnessed an accident, a natural disaster like hurricane or tornado, terrorist attack, unexpected death of a loved one, war, rape or other violent attack.

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Most people who experience life-threatening events recover from them, but people with PTSD continue to be severely depressed and anxious for months or even years following the event.  But there is good news:  PTSD is highly treatable with medication, exercise, and a variety of therapies.  According to the National Center for PTSD, cognitive behavior therapy is the most effective form of counseling for PTSD.

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Symptoms of PTSD include:

• repeatedly replaying the event through flashbacks and nightmares

• avoidance of any reminders of the traumatic events

• feeling jumpy or on edge, difficulty sleeping, and being angered easily

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Women are twice as likely to develop posttraumatic stress disorder as men, and children can also develop it. PTSD often occurs with depression, substance abuse, or other anxiety disorders.

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• 7.7 million Americans age 18 and older have PTSD.

• 67 percent of people exposed to mass violence have been shown to develop PTSD, a higher rate than those exposed to natural disasters or other types of traumatic events.

• People who have experienced previous traumatic events run a higher risk of developing PTSD.