Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was first identified in the early 1980s by psychiatrists in the United States working with veterans of the Vietnam War. Formerly known as "shell shock" or "battle fatigue", the debilitating condition had been studied primarily in military contexts until research revealed that victims of a wide range of traumatic experiences were displaying similar symptoms.

Doctors now apply the diagnosis to those who have suffered severe traumas including rape, child abuse, violent crime and serious accidents. Research has also revealed that people not directly involved in a trauma - members of the emergency services and families of victims and survivors - can develop PTSD. Survivors of serious illnesses such as cancer are also at risk.

As both observers of traumatic events and participants in them, journalists are routinely exposed to psychological risk factors. War is the most obvious danger zone, but reporters can also be exposed to similar levels of trauma in low-intensity conflicts, riots, natural disasters and other violent and disturbing situations.

According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, man-made traumas tend to have more a serious and longer-lasting psychological impact than natural disasters, possibly because they destroy people's trust in their fellow human beings. Events involving children are also particularly disturbing.

Every journalist will experience stress (see Understanding Stress) and many may even experience a range of PTSD symptoms at different stages of their career. But for the vast majority, the symptoms will dissipate on their own over time given appropriate levels of self-care and support. A minority will develop the full-blown condition and for those that do, a wide range of treatments are available and a full recovery is almost always possible.

In this module, we'll examine who's at risk from PTSD, as well as the different types of the disorder. We'll also take a look at the major symptoms and give you the chance to assess whether you might be at risk.

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