The approach of the 10th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2011 have created stress for many who hold powerful memories of that tragic day. But for those who lived through it, the stress of living through that day, has had lasting effects of their lives. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is very common in survivors of 9/11. Now scientists are taking the opportunity to study this disorder in 9/11 survivors.

For New York City resident Esperanza Muñoz, the attack on the World Trade Centers is not over 10 years later — not by a long shot. At odd moments, the stench of death still rises to her nose, and the 55-year-old woman slides into a haze of nausea and tears. She suffers headaches and is awakened several times a week by nightmares of headless bodies and shoes with bits of feet left inside. She dreads the sound of sirens or a passing plane.

Muñoz lives in the New York City borough of Queens, and can’t — or won’t — go into Manhattan, even to attend her support group for Latinas still scarred by the events of Sept. 11, 2001. She went to a meeting a few blocks from the site of the former World Trade Center once, six or seven years ago, but she became so panicked she had to leave.

Muñoz has a classic case of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, even though she is not a classic victim of the disorder. She has not survived a violent crime, warfare or even a clear sense that her life was threatened. She watched the fiery collapse of the World Trade Center towers from the roof of her apartment building in Queens, horrified but safe.

via 9/11 attacks lead to more study of post-traumatic stress disorder – latimes.com.