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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough researchers don't know exactly what causes post-traumatic stress disorder, they do know some of the risk factors involved, or the things that make you more likely to get PTSD.
People of all ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. It's relatively common among adults, with about 8 percent of the population having PTSD at some time in their lives. Post-traumatic stress disorder is especially common among those who have served in combat, and it's sometimes called "shell shock," "battle fatigue" or "combat stress."
Women are four times more likely than men to develop PTSD. Experts believe this is because women are at increased risk of experiencing the kinds of interpersonal violence — such as sexual violence — most likely to lead to PTSD.
Kinds of traumatic events
In men, the most common events leading to the development of PTSD include:
- Combat exposure
- Rape
- Childhood neglect and physical abuse
In women, traumatic events most often associated with PTSD include:
- Rape
- Sexual molestation
- Physical attack
- Being threatened with a weapon
- Childhood physical abuse
But many other traumatic events also can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, including fire, natural disaster, mugging, robbery, assault, civil conflict, car accident, plane crash, torture, kidnapping, life-threatening medical diagnosis, terrorist attack and other extreme or life-threatening events.
Increasing your risk
Not everyone who experiences these kinds of traumatic events goes on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Some factors that may make you more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event include:
- The traumatic event is especially severe or intense.
- The traumatic event was long lasting.
- Having an existing mental health condition.
- Lacking a good support system of family and friends.
- Having first-degree relatives with PTSD.
- Having first-degree relatives with depression.
- Having been abused or neglected as a child.
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- 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.
