What is PTSD?
When Does it Start?
Am I the Only One?
What Can I do to Help Myself?
What Can a Doctor Do?

What is Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

PTSD is a real illness. People may get PTSD after living through a terrible and scary experience. It can be treated with medicing and therapy. You can get PTSD after you have been:

• Raped or sexually abused
• Hit or harmed by someone in your family
• A victim of a violent crime
• In an airplane or car crash
• In a hurricane, tornado, or fire
• In a war
• In an event where you thought you might be killed
• Or, after you have been seen any of these events

If you have PTSD, you often have nightmares or scary thoughts about the terrivle experience you went through. You try to stay away from anything that reminds you of your frightening experience.
You may feel angery and unable to care about or trust other people. You are always on the lookout for danger. You feel very upset when somethig happens without warning.

When does PTSD Start and How Long Does It Last?

For more people. PTSD starts within about three months of the terrible event. For some people, signs of PTSD don't show up until years later. PTSD can happen to anyone at any age. Even children can have it.
Some people get better within six months, while others may have the illness for much longer.

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Am I The Only Person With This Illess?

No. You are not alone. In any year, 5.2 million Americans have PTSD.

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What Can I Do To Help Myself?

• Talk to your doctor about the terrible event and your feelings. Tell your doctor if you have scary memories, depresion, trouble sleeping, or anger. Tell your doctor if these problems keep you from doing everyday things and living your life.
• Ask your doctor if he or she has helped people with PTSD. Special training helps doctors treat people with PTSD. If your doctor doesn't have special training, ask for the name of a doctor or counselor whoe does.

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What Can A Doctor Or Counselor Do To Help Me?

A doctor may give you medicine to help you feel less afraid and rense. But it may take a few weeks for the medicine to work. Talking to a specially trained doctor or counselor helps many people with PTSD. This is called "therapy". Therapy can help you work through your terrible experience.

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