| Prevalence |
Among adults in the United States, approximately 8% develop PTSD, although this number varies in part on large scale events. For instance, among members of the U.S. military returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, rates of PTSD ranged from 5–20% (Packnett et al., 2012). |
| Comorbidity |
About 80% of those with PTSD also have another psychological disorder, most commonly a mood disorder, substance use disorder, or an anxiety disorder. |
| Onset |
Symptoms usually begin within 3 months of the traumatic event, although some people may go months or years before symptoms appear. However, people who develop PTSD usually show symptoms in the immediate aftermath of the trauma, although not necessarily all the symptoms required for the diagnosis. Approximately 80% of people with acute stress disorder go on to develop PTSD (Harvey & Bryant, 2002). |
| Course |
Duration of the symptoms varies. About half of those with PTSD recover within 3 months, whereas others continue to have persistent symptoms for more than a year after the traumatic event. Still others have symptoms that wax and wane. |
| Gender Differences |
Women who have been exposed to trauma develop PTSD more often than do men, although males are more likely be victims of trauma (Tolin & Foa, 2006). |
| Cultural Differences |
Across cultures, people with PTSD may differ in the particular symptoms they express (e.g., more intrusive symptoms versus more arousal symptoms), depending on the coping styles that are encouraged in a given culture. |
| Source: Unless otherwise noted, information in the table is from American Psychiatric Association, 2013. |