EL PASO, Texas -- The program director for El Paso's Mental Health, Mental Retardation Center said Friday more and more returning soldiers are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Also known as combat fatigue, PTSD can develop after witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms range from irritability to violent outbursts.

"You're going overseas and seeing things you never imagined seeing in real life, and I think it disturbs a lot of soldiers who end up doing duty over there" Fort Bliss soldier Joseph Treat said.

Friday, MHMR hosted a seminar examining ways of dealing with the growing number of soldiers with PTSD.

"You want to identify them early, track that information and get them the assistance that they can get as soon as possible," MHMR program director Chrystal Davis said.

With thousands more soldiers heading to Fort Bliss, experts believe the number of PTSD cases is only expected to worsen. One of the major issues -- many veterans often don't admit they have symptoms or try to deny them out of fear of getting discharged. But with more local programs becoming available, coupled with the recent opening at Fort Bliss of a center dedicated to PTSD, the question still remains: Is El Paso ready?

"I do think they're prepared as it stands," Davis said.