Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects nearly 9 million Americans. This mental health disorder typically occurs after you’ve experienced a traumatic event like an accident, assault, disaster, or combat in the military or police force. It’s a type of anxiety disorder. 

From the community: “I was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of my second surgery, even though it didn't surface until 5 years later. Its a battle that I've been fighting for the past 3 years but the good news is, is that it's a battle that can be won, you have to be willing to put in the effort and work. I never thought it could get better, I was at the point that I had panic attacks so bad I didn't want to leave the house and felt like I was the craziest person on the planet and the only one going through it. I have been to therapy off and on over the last three years and finally found a therapist who is helping me so much, it's going to take time and I don't think it completely goes away but you aren't alone.” – Inspire member 

Who is at risk for PTSD?

It’s estimated that half of American adults will experience a traumatic event during their lifetimes. About 1 in 11 people will go on to develop PTSD. Women are twice as likely as men to receive a PTSD diagnosis. Youths are also at risk. The condition affects approximately 5% of teenagers.

People who work in stressful fields may be more prone to work-related PTSD because of the nature of their jobs. These fields include:

• active or veteran military members 

• doctors, nurses, emergency medical responders, and other healthcare providers

• firefighters and police officers

What causes PTSD?

A distressing event that is life-threatening, frightening, shocking, or dangerous can lead to PTSD. These events may include:

• accident

• fire

• health problems

• military combat

• natural disaster like a flood, wildfire, earthquake, or tornado

• physical abuse or assault like rape or a robbery

• shooting or terrorist attack

• unexpected death of a loved one

From the community: “…I have horrendous flashbacks/panicky/hide away from people/sweating/ feel like I choke when I eat/ swing from binge eating to not eating/ etc etc. If I smell a certain smell or hear a certain type of cough etc it takes me straight back to where I do not want to go. I am not coping with day to day everything is too much for me. I can't answer the phone/avoid post/ everything sends me in to a spin… I feel like I am going to explode . I have always been a strong person but the only way out seems to not be here anymore. I don't want to leave my family but I don't know how to get away from the flashbacks. I went to see a counsellor who said it was stress because I function. BUT I know stress and this is not like stress. But I am not functioning properly. My question really is do you have to 100% of the time have to have lack of control to have PTSD?” – Inspire member

What are the signs of PTSD?

Distress is a normal reaction to any upsetting situation. It’s normal to have trouble sleeping, concentrating, or eating for a while. But for people with PTSD, these symptoms persist for months or years. You may feel anxious or frightened even when you’re in a nonthreatening situation. Over time, these symptoms affect your ability to enjoy life, work, or attend school. 

PTSD affects everyone differently. Symptoms often appear within three months of the traumatic event but may come on years later. If you have PTSD, you may have:

• Avoiding behaviors: You change your routine to stay clear of places, people, or objects that remind you of the trauma. You don’t allow yourself to think about the event.

• Changes in mood and thinking (cognition): You develop negative thoughts about yourself and attach blame or guilt to the event. You may have trouble remembering key parts of the event. You may feel numb, depressed, or perceive the world as “not real.”

• Flashbacks: You relive the trauma while awake or in nightmares. You may have a physical reaction like a racing heart, sweating, or nausea. 

• Reactive symptoms: You’re easily startled, feel constantly on edge, or have angry outbursts. You may become hypervigilant about your surroundings, perceiving harmless things as potential threats.

What are the complications of PTSD?

People with untreated PTSD are at risk for serious issues like:

• anxiety, panic attacks, and panic disorder

• depression and suicidal thoughts

• eating disorders

• personality disorders

• self-harming behaviors

• substance use disorder

From the community: “I have been dealing with PTSD for 18 years. All the reading I have been able to find on the subject relates to military or abusive situation. Neither of these apply to me. My husband had a cardiac arrest in bed 18 years ago. I preformed CPR. He survived and went on to receive a heart transplant . I have suffered since that night.. Flashbacks, anxiety, depression. I'm reaching out to people that may have had a similar experience that changes their life.” – Inspire member

How do healthcare providers diagnose PTSD?

Psychiatrists diagnose mental health disorders like PTSD. These medical doctors refer to criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

To receive a PTSD diagnosis, you must have these symptoms for at least one month:

• one avoidance symptom

• one flashback-type symptom

• two mood and cognition symptoms

• two reactive symptoms

How is PTSD treated?

There isn’t a cure for PTSD, but medication and other therapies can help control symptoms. Treatment involves a combination of:

• medications

• talk therapy (psychotherapy)

Medications

Certain medications can ease PTSD symptoms. You may benefit from:

• Antidepressants: Doctors often prescribe antidepressants to help with PTSD symptoms like depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and cognitive issues. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two antidepressants for PTSD: sertraline and paroxetine. The antidepressant venlafaxine eases panic attacks.

• Anti-anxiety medications: Doctors prescribe these medications to quickly help with severe anxiety symptoms and panic disorder. Certain benzodiazepines like alprazolam and clonazepam are FDA-approved for panic disorders. However, they are for short-term use as they can be habit-forming.

• Alpha-blockers: Prazosin is a blood pressure medication that may diminish the frequency or severity of nightmares.

Talk therapy (psychotherapy)

Many people with PTSD benefit from a combination of drug therapy and psychotherapy, a type of talk therapy. You may meet with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker for this treatment.

Psychotherapies commonly used to treat PTSD include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Your provider helps you recognize distortions in your thinking while providing strategies that help you change the way you think about yourself and the traumatic situation. Your provider may combine CBT with exposure therapy or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

• Exposure therapy: This therapy helps you safely face the situations and memories that trigger PTSD symptoms. For instance, your provider may ask you to describe the traumatic event while providing strategies to help you overcome the fear. 

• EMDR: Your provider guides you through eye movement and rhythmic tapping exercises while you describe the traumatic event (exposure therapy). The exercises change the way your brain stores the memory, which helps minimize or eliminate PTSD symptoms. 

What’s the outlook for someone with PTSD?

Treatments often get rid of PTSD symptoms, or at the very least, lessen the severity of symptoms so you can enjoy life again. Untreated PTSD can get worse and increase your risk for substance use disorder, suicide, and other life-threatening problems. 

Sources

• About DSM-5. American Psychiatric Association.

• What is posttraumatic stress disorder? American Psychological Association. August 2020.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cleveland Clinic. January 2021.

• Panic attacks and panic disorder. Mayo Clinic. May 2018.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mayo Clinic. July 2018.

• Posttraumatic stress disorder. National Alliance on Mental Illness. December 2017.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). National Institute of Mental Health. 

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Overview. National Institute of Mental Health. May 2019. 

Disclaimer

Member comments are lightly edited for length and to remove identifying information but are otherwise reproduced as they appear in the community as part of public posts.

This content is for general informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of any organization or individual. The content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.