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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffPost-traumatic stress disorder can disrupt your whole life: your job, your relationships and even your enjoyment of everyday activities.
Having PTSD also may place you at a higher risk of other mental health problems, including:
- Depression
- Drug abuse
- Alcohol abuse
- Eating disorders
- Suicidal thoughts and actions
In addition, studies of war veterans have demonstrated a link between PTSD and the development of medical illnesses, including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Chronic pain
- Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disease
- Musculoskeletal conditions
More research is needed to understand the relationship between PTSD and physical health problems.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ciechanowski P, et al. Overview of post-traumatic stress disorder. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- 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.
- Nakell L. Adult post-traumatic stress disorder: Screening and treating in primary care. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2007;34:593.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Taylor HR, et al. Prazosin for treatment of nightmares related to PTSD. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. 2008;65:716.
