Mental Health: Facts & Statistics

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

While Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is most famously associated with the Vietnam Vets, it can affect anyone who has experienced a terrifying or traumatic experience. The disorder also frequently occurs after violent personal assaults such as rape, mugging, or domestic violence; terrorism; natural or human-caused disasters; and accidents.

• Approximately 5.2 million American adults ages 18 to 54, or about 3.6 percent of people in this age group in a given year, have PTSD. – National Institute of Mental Health, 2001


• About 30 percent of Vietnam veterans experienced PTSD at some point after the war. – National Institute of Mental Health, 2001


• Symptoms Include:
  
  • Repeatedly reliving the trauma in the form of nightmares and disturbing recollections during the day
  • Sleep problems
  • Feeling detached, or emotionally numb
  • Easily startled
  • In severe cases, the person may have trouble working or socializing
  – National Institute of Mental Health, 1994

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