Why am I still so afraid? Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Nightmares...headaches...intense reactions you don't understand...

Are you unable to "let go" of fear? Do you suffer from depression? Anxiety? Self-destructive tendencies?

It can be a smell, a place, a certain color, or any other "trigger" that results in overwhelming anxiety or fear. If this has happened to you, you may be one of the twenty million Americans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Victims of combat, violent crime, domestic or sexual abuse, or natural disasters often block out the trauma that left them feeling helpless, powerless, and vulnerable. The result can be crippling feelings of alienation, anger, and self-blame. Now this caring, comprehensive guide explains the complex symptoms of this highly treatable disorder and how sufferers can regain happiness and balance in their lives. Find out about:

The personality types and career choices that put you at the greatest risk
The kinds of trauma that cause PTSD and the cyclical nature of its symptoms
Breakthrough therapies and how to choose the one that's right for you
Information on alternative treatments, plus new techniques for anger management, relaxation, and desensitization to regain feelings of control and move forward with your life

John Barnhill, M.D., is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who specializes in depressive and anxiety disorders. He is a clinical instructor of psychiatry at Cornell University Medical College and a lecturer in psychoanalysis at the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. He is also a clinical affiliate at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Barnhill graduated from Duke University and received his medical degrees from the Baylor College of Medicine. He has written articles and book chapters on a variety of subjects for medical journals and textbooks. He maintains a private practice in New York City.

R.K. Rosen is a medical writer and poet living in New York City. With a background in psychology, English, and medical technology, she has spent the past fifteen years working in human services. She specializes in education, mental retardation, and mental health.

Roger Granet, M.D., F.A.P.A., series editor for the Dell Mental Health Guides, has practiced psychiatry for twenty years. He is clinical professor of psychiatry at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, lecturer in psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, consulting psychiatrist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, attending psychiatrist at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell Division, and director of consultation-liaison psychiatry at Morristown Memorial Hospital. He also maintains a private practice in Morristown, New Jersey.