The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

Summertime. For most, this signals thoughts of warm weather and good times with family and friends. Sadly, what brings happiness for some can trigger stress and sorrow for others. In the words of a Vietnam War veteran, "The fourth of July was once my favorite holiday with friends and family ... but now it is a day I wish never existed."

Now ask, what could this veteran, a victim of a farming accident, a female sexual-abuse victim, a child who lost his mother to domestic violence and a survivor of a tornado all have in common? The answer is post-traumatic stress disorder.

As defined by the...