When Navy Corpsman Scott Talley came home to Bakersfield after five years in the service and a tour of duty in Iraq, he thought he had left the war behind.

"As soon as I got home, I wasn't comfortable with crowds. I had problems with sleeping, anger and frustration, loud noises," said Talley.

It would be a year later, at the urging of his wife Cristina that Talley finally sought help from the Veterans Administration and he was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.

PTSD is an often-debilitating mental condition that can produce range of unwanted emotional responses to the trauma of combat. It may not show up until weeks, months or years later. And if left untreated, it can severely affect the lives of vets and their families.

Talley's condition would take a toll on his family and social life. His wife Cristina finally had enough and demanded her husband get help.

"I was like, "I don't know this person" and I was frustrated and I wanted to walk out the door," said Cristina Talley.

The situation was similar for Donna Smith of Shafter. Her two sons
William and Jesse Calhoun were both diagnosed with PTSD.

William served five tours of duty and Jesse one tour. "My youngest son
ducks for cover whenever a door would slam," said Smith.

Smith has since sought help for her sons from NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness Kern County Chapter.

Smith says there was no local support group for vets suffering from PTSD. NAMI has helped her and other mothers tremendously, she says.

Anyone interested in getting help in dealing with PTSD, whether it be veterans or family members can call NAMI at 868-5061.