Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Research 
What is PTSD
It has been several decades since mental illness was associated to war conditions was clinically recognized. Recent research has shown a strong connection between wartime events such as witnessing the death of comrades, friendly fire or improvised explosive device (IED) explosions and posttraumatic stress disorder. With a conflict as devastating as the American Civil War, it would be logical to think that Civil War soldiers experienced events that put them at risk similar to today’s soldiers. Data compiled from diaries and letters will confirm the presence of psychological disorders in soldiers who fought in the war. From this body of evidence, it is clear that soldiers of the American Civil War did suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder and other psychological disorders. In 1980, PTSD was recognized as a disorder with specific symptoms that could be reliably diagnosed and was added to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders
PTSD develops differently from person to person. While the symptoms of PTSD most commonly develop in the hours or days following the traumatic event, it can sometimes take weeks, months, or even years before they appear. What causes PTSD
Posttraumatic stress disorder can affect those who personally experience the disaster, those who witness it, and those who pick up the pieces afterwards, including emergency workers and law enforcement officers, it can also affect the people who are close to the person that experienced it
(friends or family members). Traumatic events that can lead to PTSD include:
■ War
■ Rape
■ Natural disasters
■ Kidnapping
■ Car or plane crashes
■ Assault
■ Terrorist attacks
■ Sexual or
■ Sudden death of a loved one
physical abuse
Childhood neglect
Or any event that leaves you stuck and feeling helpless and hopeless. Symptoms After a traumatic experience, it's normal to feel frightened,
It has been several decades since mental illness was associated to war conditions was clinically recognized. Recent research has shown a strong connection between wartime events such as witnessing the death of comrades, friendly fire or improvised explosive device (IED) explosions and posttraumatic stress disorder. With a conflict as devastating as the American Civil War, it would be logical to think that Civil War soldiers experienced events that put them at risk similar to today’s soldiers. Data compiled from diaries and letters will confirm the presence of psychological disorders in soldiers who fought in the war. From this body of evidence, it is clear that soldiers of the American Civil War did suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder and other psychological disorders. In 1980, PTSD was recognized as a disorder with specific symptoms that could be reliably diagnosed and was added to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders
PTSD develops differently from person to person. While the symptoms of PTSD most commonly develop in the hours or days following the traumatic event, it can sometimes take weeks, months, or even years before they appear. What causes PTSD
Posttraumatic stress disorder can affect those who personally experience the disaster, those who witness it, and those who pick up the pieces afterwards, including emergency workers and law enforcement officers, it can also affect the people who are close to the person that experienced it
(friends or family members). Traumatic events that can lead to PTSD include:
■ War
■ Rape
■ Natural disasters
■ Kidnapping
■ Car or plane crashes
■ Assault
■ Terrorist attacks
■ Sexual or
■ Sudden death of a loved one
physical abuse
Childhood neglect
Or any event that leaves you stuck and feeling helpless and hopeless. Symptoms After a traumatic experience, it's normal to feel frightened,