Factors that make developing PTSD more likely include inherited mental health conditions, personality type, and biological factors. The symptoms vary drastically between different people. This guide will help PTSD patients and their families understand the disorder and learn what they can do to manage it.<\/span><\/p>\n A traumatic event poses a threat of serious injury or death, and that causes feelings of<\/span> intense fear and helplessness after it happens. These events are stressful, frightening, distressing, difficult to cope with, or out of the person\u2019s control. This causes intense emotional and physical reactions that may last long after the initial event. Such events include:<\/span><\/p>\n Generally, a single event causes PTSD, whereas long-term, <\/span>chronic trauma causes complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD)<\/span><\/a>. Long-term events include prolonged domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse as a child, and extreme situations such as slavery, torture, or genocide. Some experts have estimated that <\/span>C-PTSD affects 1% to 8% of the global population<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Although both conditions lead to similar psychological and behavioral stress responses, people suffering from C-PTSD also experience trouble with emotion regulation, identity, sense of self, or forming and maintaining relationships.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Yes, PTSD is considered a disabling condition by the Social Security Administration and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Those living with PTSD who have documented evidence of their condition may be eligible for disability benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n Receiving disability benefits is often a long process, even if a patient meets all the criteria. Eligible patients are sometimes even rejected the first time they apply. However, it is possible to receive benefits by reapplying with the proper documentation.<\/span><\/p>\n To receive Social Security disability benefits, someone living with PTSD must have documentation of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n In addition, the person must have one of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n For more detailed information on the eligibility criteria and the application process for Social Security disability benefits, visit the <\/span>official website<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n To receive VA benefits, someone living with PTSD must be a veteran of the armed forces and meet certain qualifications:<\/span><\/p>\n Traumatic events do not necessarily need to be combat-related. Any veteran who suffered a serious injury, experienced personal or sexual trauma or violation or was threatened with injury, sexual assault, or death during his or her service may be eligible.<\/span><\/p>\n The VA also runs the National Center for PTSD (founded in 1989), which provides millions of dollars annually to PTSD and traumatic stress research.<\/span><\/p>\n For more information on how to apply for VA benefits and learn about eligibility requirements, visit the <\/span>official VA website<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Some common <\/span>events that cause PTSD<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n According to the National Center for PTSD<\/span><\/a>, the majority of people who experience a traumatic event will not develop PTSD. About 5% of U.S. adults have PTSD in any year. In 2020, an estimated 13 million Americans experienced PTSD.<\/span><\/p>\n Symptoms of PTSD may emerge soon after the traumatic event or even years later. One study suggested that up to <\/span>25% of people experiencing PTSD had delayed-onset PTSD<\/span><\/a>, where symptoms did not emerge until six months or more after the initial traumatic event. People with PTSD may also try to hide their symptoms from close friends and family and may not share that they\u2019ve suffered a traumatic event. Some common symptoms in adults include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n PTSD affects individuals in multiple ways, including their mental, physical, social, and work life, as well as their long-term health. People with PTSD may also struggle with interpersonal problems, parenting difficulties, and household income.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n PTSD may increase the risk of developing health problems<\/span><\/a> due to sleep disturbances, physical symptoms, obesity, depression, and substance abuse. It is also strongly associated with suicidal behavior. In fact, <\/span>80% to 90%<\/span><\/a> of those with PTSD experience at least one other mental disorder during their lifetime.<\/span><\/p>\n These comorbidities may make it difficult for those with PTSD to maintain a stable job and may increase their healthcare costs due to them needing medical treatments or drugs to manage either disorder. There are indirect costs, including unemployment, loss of productivity, and premature mortality. One study estimated that the direct and indirect costs of PTSD amounted to <\/span>$19,630 per individual per year in 2018<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Although the focus is often on adults, PTSD may occur in anyone at any age. It affects<\/span> 8% of adolescents aged 13 to 18<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n An event that caused someone in their lives to be seriously injured or killed could <\/span>cause children to develop PTSD<\/span><\/a>, such as in:<\/span><\/p>\n The<\/span> likelihood of children developing PTSD<\/span><\/a> after one of the above events depends on the severity of the trauma, how their parents reacted, and how close the child was to the trauma. This closeness could be physical (such as witnessing a violent crime) or emotional (such as losing a close friend or family member). Direct exposure means a child has experienced trauma firsthand or witnessed it happen to someone else. Learning about the death of a close friend may indirectly expose children to trauma.<\/span><\/p>\n The National Center for PTSD<\/span><\/a> cites previous studies that have shown that 15% to 43% of girls and 14% to 43% of boys experience at least one traumatic event in their life. Of these, 3% to 15% of girls and 1% to 6% of boys will develop PTSD, with specific rates depending on the type of trauma.<\/span><\/p>\n Children experiencing PTSD display a variety of symptoms according to the nature of the trauma. Many of the symptoms are similar to those adults experience:<\/span><\/p>\n The impacts of PTSD on children go well beyond childhood<\/span><\/a> and may follow children into adulthood if left unaddressed. Some common effects include lower grades, more suspensions and expulsions, and increased interactions with the juvenile justice system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n PTSD may also affect a child\u2019s neurodevelopment, which may change their long-term response to other stressors, making them more likely to develop psychiatric disorders. It may even make it difficult for them to regulate, identify, and express emotions or relate to others.<\/span><\/p>\n PTSD can <\/span>negatively impact a child’s physical health<\/span><\/a>, too. Studies have found a link between trauma and increased reports of physical health issues, including chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer, especially in survivors of childhood abuse and neglect. Trauma survivors also tend to use medical services more frequently, leading to higher healthcare costs.<\/span><\/p>\n Anyone likely to experience traumatic events is more likely to develop PTSD.<\/span><\/p>\n The disorder itself was first identified as a result of diagnoses of Vietnam War combat veterans. In combat, it\u2019s possible to experience many of the risk factors listed above (dangerous events, getting hurt, seeing another person get hurt, extreme fear) all in a single day or even within a few minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n As PTSD research became more prevalent, medical professionals began to understand that noncombat traumatic events could also trigger the disorder.<\/span><\/p>\n A research study identified <\/span>occupations that are high risk for PTSD<\/span><\/a>. These were:<\/span><\/p>\n Women are more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD than men, and it may have to do with <\/span>What is a traumatic event?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Differences between PTSD and C-PTSD<\/b><\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nIs PTSD a disability?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Social Security disability benefits<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Veteran benefits<\/b><\/h3>\n
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PTSD in adults<\/b><\/h2>\n
What causes PTSD in adults?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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How common is PTSD in adults?<\/b><\/h3>\n
PTSD symptoms in adults<\/b><\/h3>\n
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The impact of PTSD on adults<\/b><\/h3>\n
PTSD in children<\/b><\/h2>\n
What causes PTSD in children?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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How common is PTSD in children?<\/b><\/h3>\n
PTSD symptoms in children<\/b><\/h3>\n
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The impact of PTSD on children<\/b><\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nWho\u2019s most likely to develop PTSD?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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