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was not until after the Vietnam War (1954–1975), however,
that doctors created a special definition for this type of anxiety.
These days, PTSD can be found in anyone who has survived
a trauma. Abused children sometimes have PTSD. So do
people who lived through a sexual assault, a robbery, or a
natural disaster like a hurricane.
People with PTSD have feelings of intense fear,
helplessness, and horror. They have repeating thoughts
and dreams about the trauma. Sometimes they even have
flashbacks, in which they believe the traumatic event is
happening again.
Recently, doctors have begun discussing a new type of the
disorder, called
complex PTSD
(C-PTSD). This type is caused
by repeated trauma, experienced over and over again for a
long time. For example, being abused for many years might
cause C-PTSD. Growing up in a high-crime neighborhood
can also cause it. People with C-PTSD never know when
the next bad thing is coming, so they tend to be constantly
PTSD in Daily Life
Unfortunately, lots of kids have PTSD.
Sometimes the traumatic event is something
very dramatic, like a school shooting or
a tornado. But PTSD can also come from
something very average, like a car accident.
Violence in a home or neighborhood can also
cause PTSD. Any event where a child feels his
life is in danger is a potential trigger.