PTSD and Its Effects on Military FamiliesIn 2004, Operation Iraqi Freedom became the deadliest U.S. military conflict since the Vietnam War. Military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam have brought increased awareness of military-related PTSD, as well as the relationship and family problems that accompany the disorder. Studies have shown that 11 to 20 percent of veterans who served in Iraq and 6 to 11 percent of veterans deployed to Afghanistan suffer from PTSD. Operation Desert Storm veterans suffer at a rate of approximately 10%, and estimates for Vietnam veterans reach between 30% and 50%. Post-traumatic stress disorder is defined as an anxiety disorder that can occur after experiencing or witnessing trauma or life. threatening event that causes intense feelings of fear or helplessness. Symptoms may vary from person to person but can be divided into three basic categories. Experiencing symptoms such as bad dreams, frightening thoughts and flashbacks. Flashbacks or reliving the trauma over and over can include physical symptoms like sweating and heart palpitations. Veterans who worked on tanks and machinery reported that the smell of diesel fuel could trigger combat flashbacks. Avoidance symptoms include feeling emotional numbness, guilt, worry, or depression. People suffering from these symptoms will also stay away from places and things that remind them of the experience and will often have difficulty maintaining close relationships. The effects of hyperarousal symptoms include getting startled easily, feeling constantly tense, difficulty sleeping, and outbursts of anger or violence. PTSD has long been recognized among military personnel and recent studies have shown that more military personnel are affected by these men..... . middle of paper......twatch.com/story/what-ptsd-costs-families-2014-04-04>."PTSD: National Center for PTSD." Help for family and friends -. April 10, 2014. “PTSD Rates Among Veterans.” About.com Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). April 10, 2014 “Make the connection.” PTSD. April 8, 2014. "Dossier: Post-traumatic stress disorder 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 10. 2014 .