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Risk Factors for PTSD

Those at risk for developing PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) include:

• Anyone who has been victimized or has witnessed a violent act, or who has been repeatedly exposed to life-threatening situations. This includes survivors of:
  • Domestic or intimate partner violence
  • Rape or sexual assault or abuse
  • Physical assault such as mugging or carjacking
  • Other random acts of violence such as those that take place in public, in schools or in the workplace
  • Children who are neglected or sexually, physically or verbally abused, or adults who were abused as children
  • Survivors of unexpected events in everyday life such as:
  • Car accidents or fires
  • Natural disasters, such as tornadoes or earthquakes
  • Major catastrophic events such as a plane crash or terrorist act
  • Disasters caused by human error, such as industrial accidents
  • Combat veterans or civilian victims of war Those diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or who have undergone invasive medical procedures
  • Professionals who respond to victims in trauma situations, such as, emergency medical service workers, police, firefighters, military, and search and rescue workers
  • People who learn of the sudden unexpected death of a close friend or relative
• Estimated risk for developing PTSD for those who have experienced the following traumatic events:
  • Rape (49 percent)
  • Severe beating or physical assault (31.9 percent)
  • Other sexual assault (23.7 percent)
  • Serious accident or injury, for example, car or train accident (16.8 percent)
  • Shooting or stabbing (15.4 percent)
  • Sudden, unexpected death of family member or friend (14.3 percent)
  • Child's life-threatening illness (10.4 percent)
  • Witness to killing or serious injury (7.3 percent)
  • Natural disaster (3.8 percent)

Treatment of PTSD

If diagnosed, there are a number of effective approaches to PTSD treatment. Treatment can involve psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both.

• Psychotherapy -- Psychotherapeutic methods, such as cognitive behavior therapy, are highly effective in treating PTSD.
• Medication -- Prescription medication is also effective in treating PTSD.

Treatment options should be discussed with a healthcare professional:

• A psychologist, social worker or other qualified healthcare professional who provides counseling related to trauma can identify whether a person has PTSD and can discuss options for an appropriate treatment regimen.
• A psychiatrist or primary care provider, such as a family practitioner or obstetrician-gynecologist can diagnose PTSD and determine the best treatment approach.

Economic Burden

• The annual cost to society of anxiety disorders is estimated to be approximately $42.3 billion (in 1990 dollars), often due to misdiagnosis and undertreatment. This includes psychiatric and nonpsychiatric medical treatment costs, indirect workplace costs, mortality costs and prescription drug costs.
• More than half of these costs are attributed to repeat use of healthcare services to relieve anxiety-related symptoms that mimic those of other physical conditions.
• People with PTSD have among the highest rates of healthcare service use. People with PTSD present with a range of symptoms, the cause of which may be overlooked or undiagnosed as having resulted from past trauma.
• Nonpsychiatric direct medical costs, e.g., doctor and hospital visits, is $23 billion a year -- the largest component of the societal costs of anxiety disorders, including PTSD.

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Reviewed: 04/2006