The experience of military sexual trauma (also referred to as MST) is a widespread problem in the military. In fact, studies have found that anywhere between 23% and 33% of female veterans report having experienced MST. Women who have experienced MST are also at high risk for developing PTSD. However, most studies of MST have focused their attention on women. As compared to men, MST does occur at higher rates in women. Yet, MST is also experienced by substantial proportion of men in the military. Learn more about the rates of MST among men in the military, as well as the consequences of MST, in this article.

Many people with PTSD suffer from difficulties sleeping. They may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and/or suffer from frequent nightmares. Sleep problems are important to address because poor sleep can lead to a number of other problems. A lack of sleep or poor sleep quality can be a factor contributing to stress and mood problems. Poor sleep can also have a negative impact on your physical health. Check out this article to learn some ways you can improve your sleep.

On Monday, June 22, two Metro trains collided just north of Washington, D.C. during rush hour, resulting in the death of 9 people and injuring multiple others. This traumatic event has the potential to contribute to the development of acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To develop acute stress disorder or PTSD, a person must have directly or indirectly experienced an event where there was the threat of or actual death or serious injury, as well as experience feelings of fear, helplessness, or horror. The Metro crash definitely meets these qualifications. If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of acute stress disorder as a result of the Metro crash, it is very important to seek out help. Acute stress disorder has the potential to develop into PTSD. However, PTSD can be prevented through early intervention. You can read more about the Metro crash from CNN.com.

PTSD can have a major impact on a person's life. Fortunately, there are a number of different types of psychological treatments for PTSD that have been found to be effective in helping a person recover from the diagnosis. These include, for example, cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. Have you had any experience with these psychological treatments for PTSD? If so, share your experiences with other readers here.

Military service members face a number of highly stressful situations, including deployment, combat exposure, and reintegration. Therefore, it is not surprising that we see high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as other difficulties (for example, alcohol use, physical health problems, and suicide), among those in the military. In addition, military service can be stressful for the friends and families of service members.

Fortunately, there are resources available for military service members and their families. The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury recently launched an initiative called the Real Warriors Campaign. This campaign is designed to promote resilience, recovery, and support for returning service members, veterans, and their families. You can learn more about this resource in this article.

CNN.com has an interesting article on the effectiveness of mindfulness training in managing stress and anxiety. You can read the article here. You can also learn more about mindfulness through the following articles:

• Skills of Mindfulness
• Being Mindful of Thoughts
• Mindfulness of Sounds
• Being Mindful of Your Breathing

Memorial Day is a holiday that commemorates U.S. men and women who lost their lives during military service. Take some time today to recognize and honor the many men and women who have died serving our country, as well as those currently in service.

People with PTSD often experience intense symptoms of anxiety. As a result, anxiety can be difficult to cope with, leading to reliance on unhealthy ways of coping, such as substance use. However, there are many healthy ways of coping with anxiety. What healthy strategies have you found to be successful in coping with your symptoms of anxiety? You can share with other readers what coping strategies you generally rely on when you are experiencing anxiety through this link. You may also learn some new strategies that you have never tried before. The more coping strategies we have available, the better prepared we will be in coping with anxiety.

Women make up approximately 15% of the military, and many encounter stressors that may place them at risk for the development of PTSD. The Anxiety Disorder Association of America is providing people with the opportunity to show their support for women in the military. A small donation will go towards providing women in the military with resources on PTSD. You can learn more about this offer here.

People with PTSD often struggle with frequent and intense symptoms of anxiety. These strong symptoms of anxiety often lead people with PTSD to rely on unhealthy ways of coping, such as through drug or alcohol use. Fortunately, there are a number of healthy ways of coping with anxiety that may help your anxiety go down in intensity, become less frequent, and/or become more tolerable. Check them out here.