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Veterans Day

November 5, 2008

NAMI has released a new 14-page brochure on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), treatment and recovery. It is intended to help individuals experiencing symptoms or diagnosed with the illness, along with their families and caregivers.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder and its symptoms include poor concentration, sleeplessness, nightmares, flashbacks, heightened fear, anxiety and disassociation (feeling "unreal" or cut off from emotions).

While the illness is not limited to military veterans, soldiers are exposed to risk factors such as proximity in witnessing violent, life-threatening events and direct physical impact.

ABC News reports that more than 600,000 Americans have served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the Army, for those soldiers deployed once, the rate of anxiety, depression and PTSD is 12 percent. For those deployed three or more times, the rate more than doubles to 27 percent.

Additional Resources:

NAMI Veterans Resource Center

Add your tribute to the: Veterans Tribute Honor Roll

The Washington Post: Sexual Trauma Haunts Many Female Vets

USA Today: Post-traumatic stress is a war within the body, for the military and for civilians

CNN: Iraq vets and post-traumatic stress: No easy answers

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When you become a member of NAMI, you become part of America's largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness. And now you can join online.