Working in the emergency response field, I have personally seen and felt the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is not possible to respond to one emergency after another without being subject to some of the effects of PTSD. When I saw this topic listed, I felt compelled to take this opportunity to learn more. My hope is to increase my knowledge of a disorder that is so prevalent in my career field; I can recognize symptoms in others and myself before their effects become devastating. Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD as it is more commonly known, is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as an anxiety disorder. (American Psychological Association.) It has specific criteria that must be met to be diagnosed. First of all, there must be a traumatic event. Examples of such events are as follows. Being involved in a situation where there has been death or near death, sexual assault or physical injury. There have also been cases where the stressor was secondary. Like the harm suffered by a close family member. People with PTSD can experience a myriad of symptoms. Symptoms include flashbacks, which are a vivid memory of the event. As well as anxiety resulting from recalling unwanted memories of the event. Many also experience a heightened sense of awareness called hyperarousal, a state in which the body is primed to respond to a threat. The physical manifestations of PTSD are the result of overcoming the body's natural response mechanisms. This mechanism is commonly called the fight or flight mechanism which is part of the nervous system. In the unaffected person, when triggered, this mechanism causes changes in the body. Changes such as increased heart rate, increased muscularity...... middle of paper ......Manual of Mental Disorders IV. 1994: no. page. Print. Fairbank, John A.; Brown, Timothy A. "Current Behavioral Approaches to the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder." The Behavioral Therapist 10.3 (1987): 57-64. Print.Horowitz, Tuesday Jon. Stress response syndromes: PTSD, grief and adjustment disorders. 3rd ed. Lanham, MD, USA: Jason Aronson, 1997. Print. Norris, Fran H. “Epidemiology of Trauma: Frequency and Impact of Different Demographic Groups.” » Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology 60.3 (1992): 409-418. Print.Steve Bentley. "A brief history of PTSD: From Thermopylae to Hue, soldiers have always had a worrying reaction to war. Article reprint date, January 1991." The VVA veteran n. page. Print.Wiederhold, Brenda K.: Wiederholder, Mark D. Post-traumatic stress disorder. 1st ed. American Psychological Association., 2004. Print.