What is PTSD?
user
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event.
assistant
Is that why it is more common in veterans?
user
Yes, it’s estimated that as many as 30% of U.S. veterans have PTSD.  Some studies have shown that up to 50% of veterans with PTSD commit suicide.
assistant
That is very sad.
user
The suicide rate in the U.S. is the highest of any country in the developed world, with over 46,000 suicide deaths in 2015.  Even though the overall rate of suicides is relatively stable, the rate has been increasing since 1999, in part due to increased rates of suicide among veterans and members of the military.  The rate of suicide deaths for female veterans is significantly higher than for non-veterans.
assistant
What is PTSD?
user
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event.
assistant
Is that why it is more common in veterans?
user
Yes, it’s estimated that as many as 30% of U.S. veterans have PTSD.  Some studies have shown that up to 50% of veterans with PTSD commit suicide.
assistant
That is very sad.
user
Yes, it is.
assistant
What is PTSD?