There is more likelihood of developing PTSD after very severe trauma and if the event was something that occurred between people (as opposed to a natural disaster or learning about an illness.) Those who are more vulnerable to PTSD include children, the elderly, people with "poor social support" and those with an existing disorder linked to anxiety, depression or personality.

Symptoms of PTSD fall under three categories: re-experiencing the trauma, which includes flashbacks and nightmares; emotional numbing and avoidance with feelings of detachment and disinterest; or increased arousal, where the person startles easily, is irritable, can't sleep or is hypervigilant.

The symptoms of PTSD can lend themselves to more problems such as panic disorder, a fear of people, substance abuse and gastrointestinal distress. PTSD can also negatively affect a victim's relationships with family and friends and it can impair job performance.

Experts say some people are able to process a traumatic event by being open about it with others, by facing their fears and emotions quickly and with honesty and by releasing any guilt associated with the event. While those people may not need medical attention for their PTSD, most probably should seek help.

Recent research found in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that most veterans returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan "adjust successfully" to civilian life, but that a significant number of those vets will show signs of PTSD.

A report generated this year by the Institute of Medicine, along with the National Research Council, showed that PTSD claims have risen from 120,265 in 1999 to almost 216,000 in 2004. In that time, payments for treatment of PTSD have grown from $1.72 billion to $4.28 billion.

The two groups that produced the report suggested that the Department of Veterans Affairs should come up with new standards for evaluating PTSD and then base how much money to award each PTSD claim on how much the disorder impacts all aspects of that person's life. Institute officials say that all veterans who were deployed to a war zone are at risk of developing PTSD.

PTSD in Utah

In the 15 months Bart Davis has been a transition assistance adviser for the state of Utah, he has heard from many military members who have shown signs of PTSD. Davis is based out of the Utah National Guard headquarters in Draper.

Nationally, about 30 percent of veterans returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan have "some indication" of PTSD, Davis said. It's about the same for Utah, with returning veterans who are having nightmares, avoid crowds, overreact to loud noises, feel detached or depressed, abuse alcohol or drugs or consider suicide.

With the VA Medical Center and smaller veteran centers in Salt Lake City and Provo, help for those with PTSD is a referral away.