Have you or your mother; brother; son; daughter; aunt; uncle; sister, or any other loved one returned from the war? Is there something different about them?

Perhaps they are restless; easily startled; easily agitated; nightmares; flash backs; cannot sleep; sleeps too much; are they drinking too much or perhaps they do not socialize as much.

These are just some of the symptoms of a conditional called posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition is sometimes also referred to as Shell Shock.

Now just because you or your loved one may have these symptoms only a professional mental health clinician should make this diagnosis. In other words, these symptoms may be useful to you, if you are trying to seek help.

PTSD can be very frustrating to live with and try to understand. I want to let you know, that you are not alone, and there is help.PTSD is a treatable condition. This condition is often treated with a combination of medication and therapy.

The Department of Veterans Affairs may be a good place to start if you or your loved one is either registered with the VA system or has recently been discharged.

If not, contact your local VET Center which is part of the VA system, but does not require pre-registration The VET Centers will see anyone that has been in a combat theatre. You can locate your local Veteran Hospital, CBOC, Outpatient Clinic or VET Center by looking under facility locator at their website. http://www.va.gov

I will be writing more about this subject as well as Traumatic Brain Injury. So keep a look out.