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.

Anxiety is part of our natural “fight-or-flight” response. It’s our body’s way of warning us of possible danger ahead. Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering several different forms of abnormal, pathological anxiety, fears, phobias. Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health problems. Anxiety disorders are a group of disorders which affect behaviour, thoughts, emotions and physical health. It is estimated that they affect approximately 1 in 10 people.

The ways in which physical symptoms of stress are managed can make a world of difference on its impacts both mentally and physically. Symptoms of stress are believed to be connected to many of today’s health problems including hypertension, cancer, ulcers, lower back pain, neck pain and headaches. Stress seems to be more prevalent on work days and during the holidays. Symptoms of stress are not always obvious in children and youth, but can have a huge effect on their lives.

One thing that is coming up more than ever is the condition called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Some were aware of it before this became the common name and remember it as shell shock. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a disorder suffered by rising numbers of people today.

It starts with events that are so traumatic for those suffering, that they can’t deal with it all at once, and shouldn’t be expected too. In wars, many soldiers experience horrors that were extremely beyond anything they could ever prepare for.

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.