fically, these symptoms include: recurrent images and dreams of the stressful event; phobic avoidance of situations that resemble or symbolize the original trauma; and other unusual behavior that is indicative of an overwhelming sense of anxiety (McDaniel & McClelland, 1986, p. 180).
Generally, symptoms of PTSD do not result in extreme cases of violence as depicted by Stan's behavior. Usually the symptoms are depression and anxiety, frequently causing apprehension and lapses in memory and concentration. The sufferer may also experience a difficulty in sleeping, irritability, and angry outbursts. Sometimes the emotional disorder rises to the level of creating self-defeating behavior which requires psychological treatment. This level of anxiety involves experiencing flashbacks, illusions or even hallucinations that cause the person to relive the event over and over to the point of disrupting normal lifestyle routines. In some cases, the emotional disorder may be so overwhelming that violence against oneself or others results.
A person suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder will experience symptoms that last at least one month. If left untreated, symptoms may persist for much longer periods of time. They may occur years after the traumatic event, and if they disappear, with or without treatment, they may recur even after decades of experiencing no other symptoms (Sonnenberg, 1988:582).
The concept of "shell shock" as a temporary psychological disorder was first developed in World War I. At that time the concept was undefined, focusing largely on the psychologically destructive impact of explosions and gunfire. In World War II psychologists advanced the notion of shell shock to include psychologically stressful situations in violent conflict. The disorder came to be known as "combat fatigue." Combat fatigue became a widely accepted emotional disorder that permitted the medical and honorable
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