PRLog (Press Release) – Apr 12, 2011 – Each year, more than eight million people in the United States are diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).This disorder is a true silent killer, and local author Kaitlyn Gant is shattering the silence and telling the world about surviving the disorder in her book titled "WillYou Listen?"

To share her story and lend support to those in the local community suffering from PTSD and their loved ones, Gant will be holding a benefit book signing event on Thursday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Village Coffee Roastery in Scottsdale.

“A portion of book sale profits from the event will benefit the local non-profit organization Soldier’s Best Friend,” Gant said. “This organization provides, at no cost to war veterans, psychiatric service dogs for those suffering from PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).The service dogs assist in helping such veterans begin a road to healing.The impact of animals on psychological healing is tremendous.The dogs trained as service dogs are obtained from local animal shelters; this provides rescue to animals in need as well.” The President and Founder of Soldier’s Best Friend, John Burnham, DVM, and a service dog will also be at the book signing.

PTSD is becoming an extremely relevant topic due to traumatic events such as 9/11, military engagements, Hurricane Katrina, the January shootings in Tucson and the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan.

“PTSD symptoms devastate the sufferer while many around them often turn away,” Gant noted.“Few people can comprehend the traumas that cause PTSD and they choose to distance from the sufferer as opposed to doing something very simple: just listening.”

Gant details her struggle with PTSD in her book "Will You Listen?" (http://www.kaitlyngant.com/ About_The_Book.html). Throughout the book, she reveals feelings of hopelessness and despair she faced while symptomatic.The horrific memories she had attempted to keep locked away in a vault deep inside her finally erupted, ravaging the life she knew. However, once she had the opportunity to appropriately process and get treatment for what haunted her for decades, she began a journey toward healing.

“During my journey, I felt alone. I felt no one else could be feeling what I was feeling because it was too crazy” Gant said.“I want my book to be a resource that lets those suffering know that what they are experiencing is normal in the abnormal world of surviving with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.This book will also be valuable to their loved ones. I want those affected to know there is help; there is hope.”

The signing of "Will You Listen?" will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, May 5 at the Village Coffee Roastery located at 8120 North Hayden Road, #E104 in Scottsdale. Village Coffee Roastery owner Lisa Stroud is donating her space for the event.

For more information about "WillYou Listen?" or to order a copy for yourself or a loved one, please visit Kaitlyn Gant’s website at www.kaitlyngant.com (http://www.kaitlyngant.com). Gant is also available for speaking engagements about PTSD, depression, drug and alcohol addiction, and their impact on individuals, families and the workplace.