Many people know about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD from hearing of how it affects troops returning from 
combat, particularly if those soldiers happen to be Americans returning from Iraq. It may be understood partly as a high and constant experience of anxiety stress stemming from a traumatic experience. However, on top of the anxiety stress, there are also other symptoms that make this disorder particularly difficult to live with.
• Sufferers of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder often display common anxiety stress symptoms such as dilated pupils, hyperventilation, etc. As a result, the person may become very exhausted, and may even be unable to eat or sleep properly. PTSD sufferers often re-live their traumatic experience(s) with horrifying vividness. They might have extremely detailed nightmares, or might have sudden flashbacks while awake. The flashbacks may or may not have an obvious trigger (usually being a stimulus intimately connected with the experience, at least in the sufferer’s mind).
• If you are dating someone with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, do not be dismissive of their symptoms of anxiety and stress, or try to tell them it is “only in their mind.” Sufferers have often gone through some terrible fear and suffering, even if they may not have been physically harmed, or only mildly so. Making little of their anxiety stress can come off as very insensitive. Rather, be reassuring, and convince them to get help. The latter is very important, as many sufferers are too proud to get help, or are convinced that therapy will only bring past traumas closer to the surface. If you have PTSD yourself, dating might seem intimidating. You may want to go through a little preliminary therapy—baby steps towards recovery—first.
• People with PTSD can try many different options to treat their anxiety stress and other issues stemming from the disorder. Medication and therapy are common choices. However, support groups (both online and face-to-face) are also popular and often effective.
