Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is one of the deepest injuries that.
Vietnam War veterans received during their time of battle (Arpey). Unlike many other.
illnesses, PTSD cannot be measured by physical scientific fact (Arpey). It is something.
that can only be understood by a person who has experienced something as traumatic as.
the Vietnam War.
The definition for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder given by the Webster's New.
World College Dictionary is, "a condition characterized by recurring and, often, disabling.
symptoms of anxiety, depression, etc., that later affects some persons who have.
experienced a traumatic event or situation, especially combat.".
PTSD was first named Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome after the war because.
symptoms did not seem to appear for years, even decades (Arpey). After the symptoms.
actually did start showing up and making an impact on society, the government started to.
be concerned. They started doing extensive research on the syndrome and then went.
further to name it a disorder (Arpey).
PTSD can occur in anyone-- no matter what the age, as long as they have been.
through a traumatic experience. Many common disasters that bring on PTSD are rapes,.
floods, abductions, airplane crashes, and hostage situations (Morrison 269). Also,.
children that have undergone sexual abuse are likely to suffer from it (Morrison 269). It.
seems, however, that survivors of combat are the most frequent victims (Morrison 269). .
It is more likely for a younger adult to acquire PTSD than for someone that is.
older(Morrison 269). This could be why such an apparent outbreak of PTSD occurred.
after the Vietnam War. After all, the average age of a soldier drafted to Vietnam was.
nineteen.
Some of the symptoms that occur with PTSD are: difficulty falling asleep.
or staying asleep, irritability or outbursts of anger, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance,.
and exaggerated startle response (Frances 428).
