post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Afflicting 5 in 100 American adults annually, PTSD more often affects women than men and veterans more than civilians.

PTSD is common in Israel, which has been at war or under terrorist attack frequently in its 75-year history. Recent events will create more victims of it.

Cole Lyle, who had spent most of 2011 as a marine in Afghanistan, had decided to quit opiate pills cold-turkey. Lyle had been diagnosed with PTSD after returning from Afghanistan, and his use of sleeping pills and anti-depressants was going into an addiction, but after seeing several of his fellow marines commit suicide, he decided to turn a new leaf.

Sudden, traumatizing sounds can form lasting memories in the brain’s “flight or fight” region.

Some stressful experiences—such as childhood abuse—are so overwhelming and traumatic that the memories hide in the brain.