Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

Researchers are still trying to better understand what causes someone to get post-traumatic stress disorder. As with most mental illnesses, post-traumatic stress disorder is probably caused by a complex mix of:

  • Inherited predisposition to psychiatric illness, especially anxiety and depression
  • Your life experiences, including the amount and severity of trauma you've been exposed to since early childhood
  • The inherited aspects of your personality — often called your temperament
  • The way your brain regulates the chemicals and hormones your body releases in response to stress
Risk factors Symptoms
References
  1. Posttraumatic stress disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  2. Hollander E, et al. Posttraumatic stress disorder. In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  3. Ciechanowski P, et al. Overview of post-traumatic stress disorder. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  4. How common is PTSD? National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_how_common_is_ptsd.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  5. Nakell L. Adult post-traumatic stress disorder: Screening and treating in primary care. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2007;34:593.
  6. How common is PTSD? National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_how_common_is_ptsd.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  7. Treatment of patients with acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2004. http://psychiatryonline.com/pracGuide/pracGuideTopic_11.aspx. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  8. Self-care and self-help following disasters. National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_self_care_disaster.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  9. Feldman MD, et al. Posttraumatic stress disorder. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/123833839-2/811458959/1701/472.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  10. What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_what_is_ptsd.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  11. Helping a family member who has PTSD. Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/helping_a_family_member.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  12. Taylor HR, et al. Prazosin for treatment of nightmares related to PTSD. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. 2008;65:716.

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April 10, 2009

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