PTSD and trauma

Trauma is what can happen inside a person after a frightening or dangerous event. Examples include war, a sexual or physical assault, a serious accident, or seeing someone badly hurt or killed.^1,3 Strong reactions afterward are normal. For most people, they ease within a few weeks.¹

For some people, the fear does not fade. Memories keep coming back, and the body stays on high alert long after the danger is over. When this lasts and gets in the way of life, it may be post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.^1,13 PTSD can be treated, even many years after the event. This page gives you the big picture and links to our detailed pages.

What trauma does

When you face danger, your body's alarm system switches on. Your heart races, your muscles tense and your mind focuses on staying alive. Once you are safe, the alarm normally settles down over days or weeks.^1,13

In PTSD, the alarm stays stuck in the "on" position. A person may feel stressed or frightened even when they are safe.¹³ A sound, a smell or a news story can make the body react as if the danger is happening again.¹

Most people who live through a dangerous event do not develop PTSD.^3,13 Having PTSD is not a sign of weakness. It is a health condition, and only a mental health professional can diagnose it.¹

The four kinds of PTSD symptoms

To be diagnosed with PTSD, an adult needs symptoms from all four groups for at least one month.²

Symptoms usually begin within three months of the event.² But they can also show up months or years later, and they may come and go over time.¹ Researchers estimate that about 1 in 4 cases of PTSD start late.¹²

Complex PTSD. The world's main disease list (ICD-11) also includes complex PTSD. A person has PTSD plus deep trouble in three areas: managing strong emotions, feeling worthless or ashamed, and keeping close relationships.⁶ It is often linked to long, repeated trauma, especially in childhood, but that is not required.⁶ U.S. doctors' main manual (DSM-5) does not list it separately.⁶

Read more: Signs of PTSD.

How common is PTSD?

PTSD is more common than many people think.³

• About 5% of U.S. adults (about 1 in 20) have PTSD in a given year. That was about 13 million people in 2020.
• About 6% (6 in 100) will have it at some point in life.
• About 8% of women and 4% of men will have it during their lives.

Women are more likely to face sexual assault. Men are more likely to face accidents, physical assault, combat, or seeing death or injury.³ Among people with PTSD, about 1 in 3 have serious problems with daily life because of it.⁵

Veterans. About 7 in 100 veterans will have PTSD in their lifetime. The rate is about 13 in 100 for women veterans.⁴ It differs by era. About 10% of Vietnam-era veterans and 3% of World War II and Korean War veterans have had PTSD at some point.⁴

Older adults. In a national survey from the early 2000s, about 1 in 100 adults aged 60 and older had PTSD in the past year.⁵ PTSD seems less common in older adults than in younger ones. Still, about 3 in 100 people aged 60 and older have had it at some point in life.¹²

PTSD often comes with other problems, such as depression, anxiety, or alcohol and drug use.¹³

Who is more likely to develop PTSD?

Anyone can develop PTSD after trauma. Some things raise the risk:²

• Trauma earlier in life, especially in childhood
• Being hurt, or seeing someone hurt or killed
• Feeling intense fear or helplessness during the event
• Having little support from others afterward
• More stress after the event, such as losing a loved one, a job or a home
• A personal or family history of mental illness or substance use

Other things help people recover. These include getting support from others, having a way to cope, and feeling OK about how you reacted during the event.²

Read more: Who develops PTSD.

What helps

PTSD treatment works. It can take away symptoms for some people and make them milder or less frequent for others.¹

What is not recommended. The 2023 VA/DoD guideline recommends against benzodiazepines (a group of calming medicines such as alprazolam and lorazepam) and against cannabis for PTSD.⁹ If you take one of these now, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before changing anything.

Read more: Trauma-focused therapies, Medicines for PTSD and Coping with trauma symptoms. Our grounding practice can help when memories pull you back into the past.

PTSD in later life

Aging can stir up old trauma. Some older adults have symptoms for the first time, or see old symptoms return, decades after the event.^1,12 In one study, about 1 in 10 World War II prisoners of war had symptoms come back after 25 to 30 years without them.¹²

PTSD may also affect brain health. In a large study of veterans aged 55 and older, about 11% of those with PTSD developed dementia over seven years, compared with about 7% of those without it.¹² This shows a link, not proof that PTSD causes dementia.

Read more: PTSD in older adults and veterans. Veterans and families can also see VA benefits for dementia.

If someone you love has PTSD

PTSD affects the whole family. Loved ones may feel shut out, walk on eggshells around triggers, or worry about anger or drinking. Learning about PTSD and encouraging treatment can help. Taking care of your own health matters too.

Read more: Supporting someone with PTSD and caregiver burnout.

All pages in this section

• Signs of PTSD: the four symptom groups, acute stress, complex PTSD and delayed onset
• Who develops PTSD: types of trauma, risk and protective factors, war, medical and caregiving trauma
• Getting assessed for PTSD: screening questions, checklists and finding trauma-informed care
• Trauma-focused therapies: prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, EMDR and more
• Medicines for PTSD: antidepressants, prazosin, what to avoid and newer research
• Coping with trauma symptoms: grounding, sleep, routines and support
• PTSD in older adults and veterans: late-life symptoms, VA services and dementia
• Supporting someone with PTSD: triggers, what helps and caring for yourself

In this section

When to get help

Talk with a doctor or mental health professional if, more than about four weeks after a trauma:¹

• Upsetting memories, nightmares or fear are not easing
• You avoid more and more places, people or activities
• Symptoms cause a lot of distress or get in the way of work, home life or relationships

You do not have to know the cause first. A primary care doctor can screen you and help you find care. See Getting assessed for PTSD or take our private check-in.

Education only. This page is general information written from the sources listed. It is not medical, legal or financial advice and does not replace a doctor, therapist or lawyer who knows your situation. How we write and check pages.