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Risk Factors for PTSD

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

• 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

• 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: 11/2008