While typically associated with soldiers who have been in military combat, any event that causes fear and stress can trigger Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A natural disaster such as Superstorm Sandy or an earthquake, or a crisis such as the Boston Marathon bombing or 9/11, can spark an incident of PTSD. Sexual or physical abuse or a serious accident can also be responsible for an episode.

PSTD isn’t always necessarily the result of a direct harm to the person who suffers the disorder. PSTD can develop when a person witnesses an event that affected a loved one or even strangers. People who watched the events of 9/11 unfold on television with no direct connection to the incident or people involved in it experienced PTSD.

By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Live Science Contributor | April 15, 2014

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