Negative experiences are an unfortunate reality of life. Sooner or later, most people will experience something like a car accident, the sudden loss of a loved one, a serious injury or a burglary. Statistically, 70 percent of Americans, or around 220 million people, have experienced some form of traumatic event in life. While many people can learn to move past these kinds of events, some situations go beyond our ability to cope. Without proper attention, a mental health disorder known as post-traumatic stress disorder may develop.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a condition triggered by severe stress, trauma or fear. According to the Sidran Institute, an estimated 13 million American adults currently have PTSD, with women twice as likely as men to develop the condition. It’s common in those who have served in the military, experienced an intense emotional or physical incident like assault or rape, or gone through a serious incident such as a car crash or house fire.
Below, we’ll walk through what PTSD is, what causes it, and the symptoms to watch for. If you’re looking for treatment options, see our page on PTSD treatment.
What Is PTSD?
A form of anxiety disorder, PTSD arises in response to traumatic circumstances. After something like a debilitating accident, life-threatening illness, rape or sexual assault, battlefield experience, fire or another similar event, those involved may find themselves feeling stressed, paranoid, anxious and unable to focus. Memories of the moment in question may linger, creating uncomfortable emotions that are almost impossible to ignore. This can compromise virtually all elements of a normal life, creating an untenable situation.
While not universal after a serious situation, PTSD reportedly occurs in around 20 percent of those who have suffered a distressing event. Unfortunately, many people who have PTSD either don’t realize there’s something wrong or are hesitant to speak up due to the stigmas surrounding mental health.
What Causes PTSD?
PTSD can be caused by a single traumatic event or a series of traumatic experiences. Some of the most common causes of this condition include:
Military Service
Military service can be enormously stressful. Factors such as witnessing or experiencing violence, geographical location and other factors can contribute to the development of PTSD. The number of veterans suffering from this condition varies. As many as 11–20 veterans out of 100 of Operation Iraqi Freedom experienced PTSD. 15 of every 100 Vietnam veterans experienced the condition.
First Responders
First responders such as police, firefighters and EMTs are at risk for developing PTSD because of their high-stress occupations. They are repeatedly placed in high-stress situations. A single acute event or multiple stressful events can lead to the development of this condition.
Sexual Trauma
People who experience sexual trauma as children or adults are more susceptible to PTSD. Some victims may develop symptoms right away or experience delayed reactions to their trauma.
Childhood Physical Abuse
The fear and stress associated with physical abuse in childhood can cause PTSD that extends into adulthood. Additionally, adults who experience physical abuse or domestic violence can also develop PTSD.
Threatened with a Weapon
Being threatened with a weapon like a gun or knife can trigger the development of PTSD. In these situations, people experience temporary powerlessness and acute stress that alters their mental well-being.
Other Factors
There are seemingly countless triggers for developing PTSD. Witnessing a violent event or the death of a loved one — even the death of a beloved pet — can be incredibly traumatic and lead to a mental health disturbance. Sometimes, PTSD can develop because an individual is already experiencing high stress or another mental health condition.
What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD can arise in numerous different ways and, as such, may manifest differently from person to person. The type of trauma in question may play a great role in side effects, adding an extra layer of difficulty in diagnosis and treatment.
Four main categories of PTSD symptoms are generally required for a clinical diagnosis. These are:
- Distressing recollections, like nightmares, negative thoughts, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts and memories
- Mood and cognitive changes, such as sadness, emotional numbness or disinterest in previously pleasurable activities
- Increased emotional arousal or fight or flight responses, including sleeping difficulties and mood swings
- Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event, such as by avoiding particular places, people or situations
These symptom categories can manifest in various ways. Some people may appear uncharacteristically irritable or aggressive, while others may experience difficulty concentrating. Hypervigilance (constantly scanning for threats) is another common symptom, and the affected person may display exaggerated responses to loud noises, sudden movements or other stimuli.
Self-destructive behavior is also common in those with PTSD. Some people turn to coping methods like drinking or drug use — which can lead to co-occurring conditions — and may lash out toward friends and loved ones. Isolation is also common, with individuals neglecting social activities and rejecting both romantic and platonic opportunities. Those with PTSD may also have trouble handling social, occupational and financial requirements for a normal life. Choosing to leave work or end relationships isn’t unusual in cases of PTSD.
When PTSD Symptoms Appear
Many people believe that if they feel normal after a critical situation, they’re okay. However, the symptoms of PTSD may not manifest right away. Signs can arise days, months or even years after experiencing trauma. This is very common in military personnel: the effects of war, injury or loss can be pushed down and ignored in the field but may come to the fore on return to civilian life. Between 20% and 30% of military members will develop PTSD at some point in life, whether during service or as a veteran.
Frustration, fear, anxiety, worry or insomnia are common following a serious incident, and this should not be downplayed. After a serious occurrence, it’s natural to be hesitant or anxious about what happened, or to fear that something similar might happen again. For many people, these feelings will lessen in several weeks. Symptoms following a traumatic event must generally persist for at least a month to be considered true PTSD.
