The notion of posttraumatic symptoms describe symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as symptoms of comorbid mental disorders such as substance abuse disorders and depression. The article presents research done in Poland with the data on the levels of PTSD and other posttraumatic symptoms in the samples from the general population. Before that - summary of the foreign data, especially done in the USA, is presented, followed by the information about the methods of measurement of prevalence of traumatic events and PTSD in the general population. There are substantial differences between the Polish and foreign data. They could come from the differences in the diagnostic measures. If not, it is worth looking for the answers why is that so, that Polish data show much higher prevalence of posttraumatic symptoms and to make efforts to provide competent help to people who have posttraumatic symptoms.