Running Head: REALITY OF PTSD

The Reality of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Adrian Gonzalez

University of Texas at El Paso

English 1311
Running Head: REALITY OF PTSD
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Abstract

Even though many people have shunned the idea of soldiers being mentally injured during their

war experiences, the fact of the matter is that many soldiers are indeed later troubled by these

stressful situations. Many soldiers returning from war have developed what is known as post-

traumatic stress disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder can be defined as an extreme anxiety

disorder that can be caused due to exposure to dangerous situations, such as those soldiers are

exposed to during war. Symptoms include: nightmares, flashbacks, increased arousal, anger, as

well as thoughts of suicide. Therefore this is a serious community problem as the community

should get involved by first understanding what PTSD is and second supporting these victimized

soldiers before it is too late.

Running Head: REALITY OF PTSD
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The Reality of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder is indeed an anxiety disorder caused by exposure to fearful,

life-threatening, or extremely stressful events. There are many symptoms related to PTSD that

include: recurring nightmares, flashbacks, anger issues, paranoia, increased arousal, involuntary

body movements, and thoughts of suicide. Throughout the centuries, post-traumatic stress

disorder has been called a variety of different names such as “soldier’s heart” during the Civil

War, “shell shock” during World War I, and “battle fatigue” during World War II. Sadly, before

PTSD was recognized as an emotional disorder many leaders and doctors believed it to be

cowardice and personal weakness. The American Psychiatric Association did not add post-

traumatic stress disorder to its Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders until as recent as 1980.