Approximately 3.5% of American adults develop PTSD each year. PTSD is a mental health condition that activates the body’s “fight or flight” stress response after a traumatic or deeply distressing event. Common triggers include gun violence, military combat, accidents, or intimate partner abuse.

PTSD can lead to both physical and emotional symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Fortunately, there are many treatment options that can help reduce symptoms, provide support, and improve overall quality of life. Treatment may include therapy, medication, and support groups, depending on the severity of symptoms.

PTSD Symptoms in Adults

PTSD can lead to emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms that interfere with daily life. Unlike normal stress, PTSD symptoms persist long after the threat or trauma has passed. Symptoms usually begin within three months of the event and are categorized into four main groups:

Re-Experiencing

This involves reliving the traumatic event, often through:

  • Flashbacks

  • Rapid heart rate

  • Sweating

Avoidance

You may actively avoid reminders of the trauma, such as:

  • Staying away from the location or people connected to the event

  • Avoiding conversations or thoughts about the trauma

Arousal and Reactivity

This category includes changes in behavior and heightened reactions:

  • Easily startled

  • Hypervigilance

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Irritability or anger

  • Risky or impulsive behavior

Cognitive and Mood Changes

PTSD can also affect how you think and feel emotionally:

  • Memory problems related to the trauma

  • Persistent guilt or shame

  • Low self-esteem

  • Feelings of sadness or hopelessness

  • Withdrawal from social activities

  • Inability to feel joy or positive emotions

PTSD Symptoms in Children

Symptoms of PTSD in children can look different from those in adults.

For children under 6 years old, symptoms may include:

  • Bedwetting

  • Forgetting how to speak

  • Clinginess with caregivers

  • Reenacting the traumatic event repeatedly

In older children and teens, symptoms may include:

  • Acting out or misbehavior at school

  • Defiance or disrespect

  • Risk-taking or self-destructive behavior

Causes of PTSD

PTSD can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. It can also occur if you learn about something traumatic that happened to someone close or if you're repeatedly exposed to disturbing information, such as in certain professions.

Although fear during or after trauma is a natural survival response, PTSD occurs when that fear response continues long after the trauma has ended.

Risk Factors

While not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, certain factors can increase the risk:

  • Personal history of abuse, violence, or combat

  • Physical injury or witnessing harm to others

  • Intense feelings of helplessness or fear

  • Lack of support system

Additionally, some groups—including people of color, individuals assigned female at birth, and those with a family history of mental illness—may face a higher risk.

Diagnosis

There’s no lab test to confirm PTSD, so diagnosis involves a comprehensive mental health evaluation. A mental health provider will assess your symptoms and may consult people close to you to understand your behavior.

To be diagnosed with PTSD, you must experience symptoms for at least one month, including:

  • At least one re-experiencing symptom

  • One avoidance symptom

  • Two symptoms related to arousal/reactivity

  • Two symptoms related to cognition/mood

PTSD Treatment

A diagnosis of PTSD can be difficult to process, but it also opens the door to appropriate care. Treatment aims to address safety, reduce symptoms, manage stress, and build resilience.

Who Provides Care?

Your treatment team may include:

  • A primary care physician

  • A psychiatrist (who can prescribe medication)

  • A psychologist or licensed therapist

Psychotherapy

Therapy is often the first and most effective step in treating PTSD. Sessions may include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and shift negative thoughts or behaviors

  • Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT): Family-based therapy especially for children and their caregivers

  • Exposure Therapy: Helps you face traumatic memories gradually and safely

  • Cognitive Restructuring: Aims to change how you interpret and react to the trauma

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Uses visual or audio cues to help reprocess traumatic memories

  • Group Therapy: Offers connection and shared experience with others who’ve experienced similar trauma

Therapy usually lasts from 6 to 16 weeks depending on individual needs.

Medications

Medication may be prescribed alongside therapy to manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or sleep issues. Medications often include:

  • SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) like Zoloft (sertraline) and Paxil (paroxetine)

  • SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) like Effexor (venlafaxine)

Combining therapy and medication has been shown to improve outcomes more than either treatment alone.

Prevention

While it’s not always possible to prevent PTSD, building resilience can reduce your risk or lessen symptoms. Key protective factors include:

  • Strong social support

  • Healthy stress management skills

  • Confidence in your ability to overcome challenges

If you experience trauma, seeking early support from loved ones or professionals can make recovery easier.

Related Mental Health Conditions

PTSD can be linked to other mental health challenges, such as:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

  • Depression

  • Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

  • Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)

  • Adjustment Disorder (AD)

  • Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) (in children)

  • Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) (in children)

Living With PTSD

Living with PTSD can be difficult, but recovery is possible. The sooner you seek help, the better your chances for healing.

Managing PTSD may involve:

  • Establishing a daily routine

  • Prioritizing sleep and self-care

  • Spending time with supportive family or friends

  • Engaging in relaxing and fulfilling activities

Symptoms may not go away overnight, but with patience, treatment, and support, you can begin to feel better. Many resources are available, including:

  • The National Institute of Mental Health

  • The National Center for PTSD

  • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

  • The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)