An estimated 7.8 % of Americans (1 out of 13 people) will experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) within their lifetime. Studies have shown that over 5 million Americans will experience PTSD in a given year.  Women are twice as likely to experience PTSD then men.   Abuse is a major determining factor of PTSD as is any traumatic or deeply stressful event (such as war, natural disaster, torture etc.)

This is how it works: after experiencing a traumatic or stressful event a few symptoms of PTSD may come up in the days or weeks following. (Typically symptoms show up within the first 3 months after the event but in other cases do not show up until years later.)   From there 8% of men and 20% of women go on to develop PTSD, 30% of which experience PTSD that lasts throughout their lifetime.  Of those some will go on to experience Complex PTSD which can be formed after long exposures to traumatic events (such as childhood sexual abuse).  The likeliness of who will develop PTSD (according to the National Center for PTSD) is found in:

1. Those who experience greater stressor magnitude and intensity, unpredictability, uncontrollability, sexual (as opposed to nonsexual) victimization, real or perceived responsibility, and betrayal

2. Those with prior vulnerability factors such as genetics, early age of onset and longer-lasting childhood trauma, lack of functional social support, and concurrent stressful life events

3. Those who report greater perceived threat or danger, suffering, upset, terror, and horror or fear

4. Those with a social environment that produces shame, guilt, stigmatization, or self-hatred

Symptoms of PTSD include:

• Hyper arousal (being easily startled or made angry or irritable) that was not present before the traumatic event occurred.
• Avoiding reminders of the event including avoiding places, people and thoughts that occurred around the event.
• Nightmares and flashbacks about the event.
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
• Feeling numb and cut off.
• Using Drugs and Alcohol as means of escape from symptoms.
• Physical complaints such as Chronic Pain (with no medical basis) or headaches.

Fortunately many treatment options are available to treat PTSD. 

Therapy is essential in treatment.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been shown quite effective whereby a person works with a therapist to change thoughts, emotions and cognitions.  In therapy you may work on ways to affectively deal with flashbacks and nightmares, anger that arises, anxiety issues, and more.  You may come to confront the trauma that brought on your symptoms when you feel comfortable enough to do so. 

Stress Management Training can be important as PTSD involves severe stress. 

Treatment of PTSD can also involve treating the symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia through antidepressant, anti-anxiety and sleep medications.