A study of Rwandan Genocide survivors, some with and some without post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, linked genetic factors to influence relationship between a person's "traumatic load", or the number of traumatic events one experiences, and their chances of developing PTSD.

The recent estimation claimed that nearly 20% of the population of Rwanda, or up to 1 million people lost their lives in the 1994 genocide, which occurred over about 100 days.

There is a consensus among PTSD researchers that the higher the person's traumatic load, greater is the risk to develop PTSD, but Kolassa and colleagues wanted to see if there is a genetic influence too.

"PTSD is still something that we're learning a lot about”, said Dr. Donald Wilson of Veteran’s Affairs. “It’s a relatively new diagnosis in the mental health field".

However, Doctor Donald Wilson reveals that there are common symptoms: flashbacks, hyper-vigilance, poor sleep, nightmares, agitation and irritability.

The VA posts that over 65 percent of veterans with PTSD abuse drugs and alcohol, affecting friends and family too.

To grab more ways to get help, you can visit our website at WSBT. com and click on News Links.