What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder that may develop after exposure to stressful events. Some military veterans experience PTSD after their experiences during war or combat that cause fear for their lives or the lives of others around them. Those who experience PTSD have a long-lasting feeling of fear of loss of control.

The symptoms associated with PTSD can be traumatic, causing disruption to one's life and making performing daily tasks difficult. While the symptoms can begin immediately for some people, they might not manifest for months or years later for others. While feeling anxiety or distress after a traumatic event is normal, those who experience symptoms for longer than 4 weeks could be diagnosed with PTSD.

Just as every person is different, the symptoms of PTSD can vary from person to person. Generally, the symptoms can be divided into 4 categories: 

• feelings of numbness;
• feelings of anxiety or hyperarousal;
• reliving the traumatic experience; and
• avoiding triggers that remind one of the traumatic event.

Those who experience PTSD may also develop problems with drugs and alcohol, employment, and relationships. Fortunately, military veterans may be eligible to receive treatment for PTSD and its symptoms from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

You Have the Power to Help a Disabled American Veteran!

If left untreated, PTSD could affect your loved one's quality of life. Medical evidence is a critical component in the successful fight for veterans' disability benefits. Unfortunately, many veterans lack the financial resources to obtain an independent medical exam (IME) that can provide this crucial evidence.

At Care for Disabled Veterans we focus on connecting qualified veterans to doctors and health care facilities that provide IME services for disability claims. We are a non-profit organization that relies on donations to help provide the funding necessary to obtain these records and help disabled American veterans qualify for combat-related disability benefits. Request our free guide for veterans and caregivers or contact us today to learn more - 1-877-617-2170.