There is no question that having a diagnosis of PTSD can put you at risk for developing a wide range of other psychological difficulties, such as depression, other anxiety disorders, and drug and alcohol use problems. However, PTSD also can have a big impact on your physical health. This article provides some information on the link between PTSD and your physical health.

On November 5th, authorities indicate that a U.S. Army psychiatrist, Dr. Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, opened fire at Fort Hood resulting in the death of 13 people. CNN.com provides a wealth of information on this event. Events such as this can be very difficult to cope with. Fortunately, the American Psychological Association provides helpful information on effective ways of coping in the aftermath of a traumatic event such as this.

The American Psychological Association's (APA) Stress in America survey paints an alarming picture about the level of stress experienced by children and adults. The survey shows a substantial proportion of both children and adults report that their stress levels have increased in the past year.  In addition, the survey found that many people report experiencing negative physical effects of stress, such as headaches, change in appetite, loss of sleep, and depression. It also appears that parents don't always recognize the level of stress that their children may be experiencing. Stress is unavoidable; however, by learning healthy ways of managing stress, a person can reduce its potential to have a negative impact on physical and mental health. You can read more on the results of the APA Stress in American survey on APA's website.

If you have PTSD, you may find that you often experience very strong emotions, and as a result, managing your emotions may be hard to do. You are not alone. Many people with PTSD experience difficulties regulating their emotions. For example, it has been found that PTSD is linked with difficulties accepting emotions, low emotional awareness, and being unable to control impulsive behaviors when distressed. Fortunately, there are things you can do to better manage your emotions. Try out some of the coping strategies listed in this article.