"Across history, the condition has been called "soldier's heart," "shell shock," or "combat fatigue." It is now increasingly common as our service men and women return from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zones. Since 1990, Veterans' centers here have treated more than 1.6 million affected men and women, including an estimated 100,000 from the Gulf War and an untallied total from the Iraq front and the fighting in Afghanistan. The number also includes some 35,000 World War II veterans, because PTSD does not fade easily. Regardless of the months, years, and even decades that have passed, traumatic events can flash back as seemingly real as they were when they occurred." "In Haunted by Combat, Paulson and Krippner range across history and into current experiences and treatments for this haunting disorder, taking us into the minds of PTSD-affected veterans as they struggle against the traumatic events lingering in their psyches, sometimes exploding into violent behavior. The authors explain how and why PTSD develops - and how we can help service members take the steps to heal. -- From the book jacket.

Introduction :Private traumas, personal mythologies : post-traumatic stress disorder among combat veterans / Jeffrey Kirkwood -- An overview of trauma and the mind/body -- History of the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD -- The phenomenology of PTSD -- The experiences of reserve soldiers -- Coming home from the war -- Preparing for what is to come -- Civilians at risk -- Treatment approaches to traumatic disorders -- Keys to treating trauma -- Alternative approaches to treating PTSD -- Remembrance -- Gold along the path.