What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and who is most susceptible to it? How is it different from routine combat stress?
A3. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly referred to as PTSD, is a condition where the war events are re-experienced and continue to affect a person after they return home. Symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, flashbacks, feeling revved up or irritable, feeling numb, and feeling anxious or avoiding any reminders of war. In contrast, combat stress reactions are short lived reactions to stress in the combat zone. While the symptoms can be similar, post-traumatic stress disorder is a longer term condition characterized by various symptoms that can interfere with social or work functioning.
