According to the National Institute of Mental Health, (NIMH), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the 5 recognized types of mental illness commonly known as anxiety disorders. While these five major categories are significant, the complexity of mental disorders demand for segmentation into even more conditions.

The post-traumatic stress syndrome, or PTSD is commonly associated with veterans returning from a war zone. Further study however, has suggested that this disorder isn't limited to war zone veterans that can be identified and people who have had a significant negative event touch their lives. Understand that the complexity of this illness isn't limited to simply mood swings but is embedded in general feeling caused by an event.

That event would naturally be very disturbing, unsettling or emotional scarring. These types of events may include:

a. A physically dangerous situation such as a fire or automobile accident.

b. A physical assault, rape, mugging, threats on your life etc.

c. Personal property assault. Theft, break in of your home, etc.

d. A family member, relative or close friend may have been involved in any of the above

What's interesting is that a person who may be suffering with post traumatic stress disorder isn't necessarily the person who was directly hurt by the event. Throughout the US, many people who didn't lose family in the World Trade Center on September 11 or even lives in New York City were dramatically and emotionally affected by the disaster. This is also a common problem when student and workplace shootings occur.

Stress disorder of the posttraumatic type can be characterized as an emotional rollercoaster that never ends. The fear and "shell shock" feeling of just going through a significant life threatening event can be devastating.

Many PTSD disorder sufferers will regain their emotional equilibrium given enough time. Many find that cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling can help speed the process along. In some of the more extreme in serious cases medications have been used effectively.

One difficulty in living with post traumatic stress disorder symptoms is that seemingly on associated things are events can act as a trigger to cause panic and worry. A good example of this is after someone has broken into your home, every noise can become a trigger to relive the event. Imagine a situation where a creaking door brings a flood of thoughts about an intruder in your home back into your memory.

Although far from being just a condition identified with returning war veterans, post traumatic stress has become a significant issue in our modern day world. With the all too frequent mindless shootings in previously safe places like high schools and the workplace it's no wonder that post traumatic stress is a growing problem in our society. If you or a loved one is suffering from this stress disorder, get professional psychological help as soon as possible.