Post-traumatic stress disorder and its effects on military families In 2004, Operation Iraqi Freedom became America's deadliest military conflict from the Vietnam War. Military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam have increased awareness of military-related PTSD, as well as the relationship and family problems that accompany the disorder. Studies have shown that 11% - 20% of veterans who served in Iraq and 6% - 11% of veterans who were deployed to Afghanistan have suffered from PTSD. Veterans of Operation Desert Storm suffer at a rate of about 10%, and estimates for Vietnam veterans have been as high as 30% - 50%. PTSD is defined as an anxiety disorder that can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic or life event. a threatening event that causes intense feelings of fear or helplessness. Symptoms can vary from person to person but can be divided into three basic categories. Reexperiencing symptoms such as bad dreams, scary thoughts, and flashbacks. Flashbacks or reliving the trauma over and over may include physical symptoms such as sweating and heart palpitations. Veterans who worked on tanks and cars have reported that the smell of diesel fuel can trigger combat flashbacks. Symptoms of avoidance include feeling emotionally numb, guilty, worried, or depressed. People who suffer from these symptoms also stay away from places and things that remind them of their experience and often have difficulty maintaining close relationships. The effects of hyperarousal symptoms include being easily frightened, feeling tense all the time, having difficulty sleeping, and outbursts of anger or violence. PTSD has long been recognized in military members, and recent studies have shown that more service members are affected than these men… . half of the document......twatch.com/story/what-ptsd-costs-families-2014-04-04>."PTSD: National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." Help for family and friends -. April 10, 2014. “Rates of PTSD in Veterans.” About.com Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD). April 10, 2014 “Make the Connection.” post-traumatic stress disorder. April 08, 2014. “Article: PTSD: A Growing Epidemic / Neuroscience and Treatments for PTSD.” United States National Library of Medicine. United States National Library of Medicine. April 9, 2014 "Does the impact of psychological trauma cross generations?" ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily. April 10th. 2014 .