This article reviews relevant literature on the topic of post-traumatic stress disorder. The article used a literature search of computerized databases on published reports of trauma & posttraumatic stress disorders as the primary method of research. Post-traumatic stress disorder was found to be a commonly occurring disorder that often had a duration of many years. The article also found that the stress disorder is frequently associated with exposure to multiple traumas & can lead to suicide. The article concludes social programs are needed for those with post-traumatic stress disorder. (AK)