Posttraumatic stress disorder is a mental illness that has gained a lot of press since the Vietnam War. Despite the press, however, many people do not realize what this condition is and how many lives it can and does impact.

Posttraumatic stress disorder is one of several anxiety disorders
. This particular condition is widely associated with military personnel who have seen live-action combat. It is, however, an equal opportunity offender and can sideline the lives of anyone who has undergone extreme trauma.

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.

It has been estimated that 30% of Vietnam war veterans, 10% Gulf war veterans, 6% to 11% Afghanistan war veterans and 12% to 20% of veterans of the Iraq war have suffered from Post Traumatic Stress disorder. This is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to one or more terrifying events.

The history of PTSD date back to the early 1800’s where military doctors began diagnosing soldiers with “exhaustion” following the stress of battle.

Some research suggests that GAD may run in families, and it may also grow worse during stress. GAD usually begins at an earlier age and symptoms may manifest themselves more slowly than in most other anxiety disorders. Some people with GAD report onset in early adulthood, usually in response to a life stressor. Once GAD develops, it can be chronic, but can be managed, if not all-but-alleviated, with proper treatment.

There are a number of ways to treat an anxiety disorder as well there are also many different types of anxiety disorders. Anxiety treatments for the most part consist of medication which does not cure the anxiety but rather diminishes the effects of an anxiety attack. There is also counseling that can help a person learn to coup with and even sometimes cure an anxiety disorder.

There are many types of anxiety disorders and also many types of medications used as anxiety treatments. One of the most common types of medications used to treat anxiety disorders is antidepressants or also known as SSRI’s. SSRI’s or selective serotonin re uptake inhibitors work by altering the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This neurotransmitter works to send signals between the brain cells for communication. Some of the more common SSRI’s are Zoloft, Prozac and Lexapro. This type of medication is used to treat not only depression but also as an anxiety treatment for Panic Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and Social Phobias. This type of medication has fewer side effects than most other antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.