Most people who are exposed to a traumatic, stressful event experience some of the symptoms of PTSD
in the days and weeks following exposure, but the symptoms generally decrease over time and eventually disappear. However, about 8% of men and 20% of women go on to develop PTSD, and roughly 30% of these individuals develop a chronic form that persists throughout their lifetimes.

Three clusters of symptoms are associated with PTSD:

Re-experiencing of the traumatic event:

* Recurring nightmares
* Intrusive daydreams or flashbacks
* Dissociative experiences [is there a less technical term for this?]
* Intensification of symptoms on exposure to reminders of the event

Avoidance or numbing:

* Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, activities, or situations associated with the trauma
* Feelings of detachment or alienation
* Inability to have loving feelings

Hyper-arousal:

* Exaggerated startle response
* Insomnia and other sleep disturbances
* Irritability or outbursts of anger
* Physiological reactions to exposure to reminders of the event

PTSD often occurs in conjunction with related disorders and symptoms , including:

* Depression, and feelings of guilt and hopelessness
* Substance abuse
* Disillusionment with authority
* Problems of memory and cognition

PTSD often results in impairment of the person's ability to function in social or family situations , including

* Occupational instability
* Marital problems and divorces
* Discord with family and friends
* Difficulties in parenting

The course of chronic PTSD usually involves periods of symptom increase followed by remission or decrease, although for some individuals symptoms may be unremitting and severe.

In recent years a great deal of research has been aimed at development and testing of reliable assessment tools. It is generally thought that the best way to diagnose PTSD - or any psychiatric disorder, for that matter - is to combine findings from structured interviews and questionnaires with
physiological assessments. PTSD is treated by a variety of forms of psychotherapy and drug therapy. There is no definitive treatment, and no cure, but some treatments appear to be quite promising and research into improved treatments is taking place constantly.

Here are some ways to find help. When you call, tell people you speak to that you are trying to find a mental health provider who specializes in helping people who have been through traumatic events and/or have lost loved ones. Check back on this web site for updated information on how to get help. We will be listing new ways to get help as they become available.

For veterans:
VA medical centers and Vet Centers provide mental health services for veterans that can be paid for by health insurance or provided at low or no cost, according to a veteran's ability to pay. VA medical centers and Vet Centers are listed in the phone book in the blue Government pages. Under "United States Government Offices" look in the section for "Veterans Affairs, Dept of." In that section, look for VA Medical Centers and Clinics listed under "Medical Care" and for "Vet Centers - Counseling and Guidance" and call the one nearest to where you live. On the Internet, go to the VA website and look for the VHA Facilities Locator link under "Health Benefits and Services" or go to the Vet Center
website.

For non-veterans:
Some local mental health services are listed in the phone book in the blue Government pages. In the "County Government Offices" section for the county where you live, look for a "Health Services (Dept. of)" or "Department of Health Services" section. In that section, look for listings under "Mental
Health."

In the yellow pages, services and mental health professionals are listed under "counseling," "psychologists," "social workers," "psychotherapists," social and human services," or "mental health." Health insurance may pay for mental health services and some are available at low
cost according to your ability to pay. For anyone: Call your doctor's office or ask friends if they know of any mental health providers who they recommend.
If you work for a large company or organization, call the Human Resources or Personnel office to find out if they provide mental health services or make referrals.
If you are a member of an Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), or a private medical care company such as Bupa, call to find out if mental health services are available.
Call the National Center for Victims of Crime's toll-free information and referral service at 1-800-FYI-CALL. This is a comprehensive database of more than 6,700 community services agencies throughout the country that directly support victims of crime.
Contact your local mental health agencies or family physician.

To find specific Mental health Institutions that deal specifically with PTSD try:

Support for USA
Support for UK