I also think this disorder is unique in its nature among other anxiety disorders mentioned on this post and the comments proceeding it because it is develops after particular event (or series of related events), which is not necessarily the case for other forms of anxiety. Perhaps the case-specific cause of the disorder makes it easier to diagnose?

I think that such a disorder is especially relevant considering the war in which we are currently involved. The disorder is surprisingly prevalent in war veterans, and with treatment, symptoms can certainly be treated effectively. My mother is a psychiatrist who works with veterans suffering from this condition, which is how I first learned about it. With her work involving PTSD patients, she is employed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (the VA), which I think is appropriate, considering the disorder for these particular patients is acquired through national service.

References:

Mike Fitzgerald (2007, April 27). “The War Within: Post-traumatic stress disorder.” Belleville News-Democrat. Retrieved April 25, 2008, from http://www.bnd.com/homepage/story/320847.html.

(P. S. I recently started an AD to treat anxiety. I thought about you when I went to talk to my doctor about it, and I still think about you sometimes when I take my pill each night. I hope it doesn't creep you out that you're my reference for this, but that's how deeply what you've written on the subject touches me. And you know what? When that pill actually started to work it was as if I'd experienced an epiphany. Thank you for your part in that.)

I also think this disorder is unique in its nature among other anxiety disorders mentioned on this post and the comments proceeding it because it is develops after particular event (or series of related events), which is not necessarily the case for other forms of anxiety. Perhaps the case-specific cause of the disorder makes it easier to diagnose?

I think that such a disorder is especially relevant considering the war in which we are currently involved. The disorder is surprisingly prevalent in war veterans, and with treatment, symptoms can certainly be treated effectively. My mother is a psychiatrist who works with veterans suffering from this condition, which is how I first learned about it. With her work involving PTSD patients, she is employed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (the VA), which I think is appropriate, considering the disorder for these particular patients is acquired through national service.

References:

Mike Fitzgerald (2007, April 27). “The War Within: Post-traumatic stress disorder.” Belleville News-Democrat. Retrieved April 25, 2008, from http://www.bnd.com/homepage/story/320847.html.

Of course it can be done, but will it? I don't think so, not while there are so many millions of dollars in play in creating anxiety about every facet of prostate cancer, from PSA testing/screening to the inappropriate tests and scans ordered, to the lack of clear indications of outcomes, to unneccesary adjuvant treatments (or should I say adjuvant treatments that have no demonstrable value … the list goes on. This anxiety drives men like beaters at a pheasant shoot, right into early treatment.

In the midst of all this gloomy outlook there is the faintest glimmer of light. I have personally experienced the change in attitude to what was called, so inappropriately, watchful waiting and which is now commonly referred to as active surveillance.

Thirteen years ago it was clear that the general view was that only fools and lunatics would consider such a step. The lunacy element has been removed now and men who follow this path, and the doctors who support that decisio,n are merely regarded as foolish. Perhaps as more time goes by and more studies are published, even that appellation might be removed.