Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that develops in the aftermath of experiencing, witnessing, or in some cases even learning about the details of a terrifying event.

Understanding PTSD

Learn about PTSD

Examples of the many types of traumatic events that can precede PTSD include military combat, automobile accidents, natural disasters, terror attacks, physical assault, and sexual abuse.

While most individuals who experience an adverse event are eventually able to heal, others may develop symptoms that can undermine their ability to live a healthy and satisfying life. For example, common distressing symptoms experienced by individuals with PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and an inability to stop or limit intrusive thoughts about the event.

It is completely normal to experience a wide variety of negative feelings and emotions after a traumatic event. Feelings such as anxiety, fear, and sadness, as well as changes in sleep patterns or even unexpected outbursts of anger or crying, may occur for a limited period of time.

However, when these disturbing thoughts and feelings do not dissipate, and are severe enough that you find yourself changing your behaviors or otherwise altering how you think and/or act, you may have developed PTSD. If you suspect that you or someone in your life is dealing with PTSD, professional assistance is necessary to get an accurate diagnosis and, if necessary, determine an optimal course of treatment.

The good news is that PTSD is a treatable condition. With effective treatment at a residential treatment center, outpatient clinic, or other program, you or your loved one can learn to manage symptoms and resume the pursuit of a healthy and productive future.

Statistics

PTSD statistics

According to the National Center for PTSD, about 50% of women and 60% of men in the United States will experience at least one traumatic occurrence in their lives, and about 8% of the U.S. population will develop PTSD. In any given year, about between 3% and 4% of the adult population, or about 8.5 million Americans, will be dealing with symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder.

Among children and adolescents, the National Center for PTSD estimates that about 5% of young people will meet the criteria for PTSD before they complete adolescence. Among younger children, about 75% of PTSD cases involve neglect, and about 25% involve physical and/or sexual abuse. Among older children and adolescents, the prevalence of physical and/or sexual assault rises to about 50% of PTSD cases.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors for PTSD

Since PTSD occurs in the aftermath of a trauma, one common factor among all cases of PTSD is a traumatic event. However, not everyone who experiences trauma will develop the disorder. Experts have identified a variety of genetic and environmental factors that may increase a person’s risk for developing PTSD in the aftermath of trauma.

Genetic: Research indicates that certain genes appear to raise or lower a person’s risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder in the aftermath of trauma. Additionally, individuals who inherit certain temperaments, such as negative appraisals and inappropriate coping abilities, may also have an increased risk of developing PTSD after experiencing a trauma.

Environmental: The severity of the traumatic experience, and its risk of inflicting grievous harm or death, can increase the likelihood that the individual will develop PTSD. In addition to the traumatic event itself, a host of other external or environmental factors can increase a person’s risk for posttraumatic stress disorder. These factors include the lack of an effective social support network, having a history of prior trauma, living in poverty, and having experienced childhood adversity.

Risk Factors:

Being female
Family history of mental illness
Experiencing multiple trauma
Personal history of childhood adversity
Personal history of mental illness
Low socioeconomic status
Lower educational achievement
Lack of effective social support

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of PTSD

As noted earlier on this page, posttraumatic stress disorder can lead to a variety of symptoms. Not every person who develops PTSD will have a similar experience; however, the following are among the more common signs or symptoms that are characteristic of this distressing mental health disorder.

Behavioral symptoms:

Substance abuse
Acting in a reckless, risky, or otherwise self-destructive manner
Fighting, destroying property, and other acts of violence
Physical and verbal aggressiveness
Avoiding situations, events, and/or people that remind you of the trauma

Physical symptoms:

Insomnia
Fatigue
Exaggerated startle response
Hyperarousal

Cognitive symptoms:

Inability to concentrate and focus
Persistent sense of being in danger
Recurring distressing memories
Vivid distressing nightmares

Psychosocial symptoms:

Withdrawing from family and friends
Drastic mood swings
Anger
Irritability
Hypervigilance
Depersonalization and/or derealization

Effects

Effects of PTSD

Without proper treatment at a clinic, hospital, or other program, individuals who develop PTSD may be incapable of avoiding a host of negative long-term effects, including the following:

Substance abuse and addiction
Problems in school or at work, possibly leading to failure, expulsion, and job loss
Chronic unemployment
Financial problems
Family discord
Strained or ruined interpersonal relationships
Legal problems due to reckless and/or violent behaviors
Physical injury due to reckless and/or violent behaviors
Pervasive hopelessness and/or helplessness
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Social withdrawal and isolation
Self-harm
Suicidal ideation