79 PTSD Statistics & Facts: How Common Is PTSD?

The prevalence of PTSD is particularly concerning in the United States, where it is estimated that nearly 8 million adults are affected. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD is more common in women than men and is found among people of all ages.

It can be caused by a variety of traumatic events, from natural disasters to military combat. Additionally, recent studies have found a correlation between PTSD and other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

How Common is PTSD Among Adults?

Approximately 3.6% of adults in the United States have PTSD in any given year.

17 Key PTSD Statistics

1. Approximately 8 million adults in the United States suffer from PTSD in a given year.
2. Women are twice as likely to suffer from PTSD as men.
3. About 60% of men and 50% of women experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.
4. Approximately 1 in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime.
5. Veterans are at a higher risk for developing PTSD, with about 11-20% of veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan experiencing PTSD.
6. First responders, such as police officers and firefighters, are also at a higher risk for developing PTSD.
7. Childhood trauma, such as physical or sexual abuse, increases the risk of developing PTSD later in life.
8. About 50% of individuals with PTSD also suffer from depression.
9. Substance abuse is also common among individuals with PTSD, with about 80% of individuals with PTSD also suffering from a substance use disorder.
10. African Americans are more likely to experience PTSD than Caucasians.
11. The prevalence of PTSD is highest among individuals aged 18-29.
12. PTSD can occur in response to a wide range of traumatic events, including sexual assault, natural disasters, and car accidents.
13. Symptoms of PTSD may not appear until months or even years after the traumatic event.
14. PTSD is treatable, but many individuals with PTSD do not seek treatment.
15. Cognitive behavioral therapy and medication are effective treatments for PTSD.
16. The stigma surrounding mental illness may prevent individuals with PTSD from seeking treatment.
17. PTSD can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life, including their relationships, work, and overall well-being.

How Common is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Adults?

• Approximately 3.6% of adults in the United States have PTSD in any given year.
• The prevalence of PTSD among women is nearly twice as high as men (5.2% vs. 2.7%).
• Among people who experience a traumatic event, about 8% will develop PTSD.
• The lifetime prevalence of PTSD is estimated to be around 7-8%.
• Those with a history of mental illness are more likely to develop PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event.
• Veterans are particularly vulnerable to developing PTSD, with an estimated 11-20% experiencing symptoms each year.
• People who have been sexually assaulted or abused are also at higher risk for developing PTSD, with an estimated 30-80% experiencing symptoms.
• Children and adolescents who experience trauma are also at risk for developing PTSD, with rates ranging from 3-15%.

PTSD Statistics in the United States

• In the United States, PTSD is the third most common mental health condition, after depression and anxiety.
• Approximately 50% of individuals with PTSD do not receive any treatment for the condition.
• The economic burden of PTSD in the United States is estimated to be $42.3 billion annually.
• Among veterans who served in Vietnam, it is estimated that up to 30% experience symptoms of PTSD.
• PTSD has been found to be more prevalent among individuals with lower income and education levels.
• An estimated 70% of adults in the United States have experienced some form of trauma in their lifetime, with approximately 20% developing PTSD as a result.
• Individuals with a history of substance abuse are at a higher risk for developing PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event.

Prevalence of PTSD by Age Group

• PTSD is more common among individuals aged 18-29, with a prevalence rate of 4.0% in this age group.
• Individuals aged 45-59 have the highest prevalence of PTSD among all age groups, with a prevalence rate of 5.3%.
• The prevalence of PTSD among individuals aged 60 and above is relatively low, at just 1.0%.
• Among veterans seeking treatment for PTSD, the average age is 49 years old.
• Older adults who experience a traumatic event may be less likely to develop PTSD than younger adults, but they may still experience other mental health challenges such as depression or anxiety.

Prevalence of PTSD by Gender

• Women are twice as likely to suffer from PTSD as men, with a prevalence rate of 5.2% in women compared to 2.7% in men.
• Among individuals who experience a traumatic event, approximately 20% of women and 8% of men will develop PTSD.
• The prevalence of PTSD is higher among women who have experienced sexual assault or abuse, with an estimated 30-80% experiencing symptoms.
• Men are more likely to experience trauma related to accidents, physical assault, or combat, which can also lead to the development of PTSD.
• Transgender individuals have a higher prevalence of PTSD than cisgender individuals, with rates estimated at around 16-28%.
• Lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals also have higher rates of PTSD compared to heterosexual individuals, with estimates ranging from 9-60% depending on the subgroup and the type of trauma experienced.

Prevalence of PTSD Based on Type of Trauma

• Sexual assault survivors have a higher risk of developing PTSD than any other group. Approximately 94% of women who experience sexual assault will experience symptoms of PTSD in the two weeks following the attack and 30% will continue to experience symptoms nine months later.
• Combat veterans are also at high risk for developing PTSD, with an estimated 11-20% experiencing symptoms each year.
• Survivors of natural disasters, such as hurricanes or earthquakes, may also develop PTSD. One study found that approximately 30% of individuals who experienced Hurricane Katrina developed symptoms of PTSD.
• Those who have experienced a serious accident or witnessed a violent crime may also be at risk for developing PTSD. Approximately 10% of car accident survivors develop PTSD.

PTSD and Trauma: Statistics and Risk Factors

• In one study, nearly 70% of individuals who experienced combat-related trauma reported symptoms of PTSD.
• About 90% of individuals who survive a suicide attempt have a diagnosable mental illness, including PTSD.
• Women who experience sexual assault have a higher risk of developing PTSD than women who experience other types of trauma.
• Among individuals who experience a mass shooting, about 33% will develop PTSD.
• The rate of PTSD among individuals who experience a natural disaster can vary widely depending on the severity of the disaster and the individual's proximity to it.
• About 30% of individuals who seek treatment for PTSD do not respond to first-line treatments.
• The economic cost of PTSD in the United States is estimated to be over $42 billion per year.

PTSD in Veterans: Statistics and Risk Factors

• PTSD affects approximately 11-20% of veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan.
• About 30% of Vietnam War veterans have experienced PTSD at some point in their lives.
• The risk of developing PTSD is higher among veterans who experience combat, as opposed to those who do not.
• Veterans with a history of mental illness are more likely to develop PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event.
• Veterans who have been sexually assaulted or harassed during their service are also at a higher risk for developing PTSD.

How Common is PTSD in Non-Military Populations?

• Among civilian populations, approximately 3.6% of adults in the United States have PTSD in any given year, with women having a nearly twice as high prevalence rate compared to men (5.2% vs. 2.7%).
• About 8% of individuals who experience a traumatic event will develop PTSD.
• The lifetime prevalence of PTSD is estimated to be around 7-8%, with those who have a history of mental illness being more likely to develop PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event.
• African Americans are more likely to experience PTSD than Caucasians.
• Individuals with lower income and education levels are also at higher risk for developing PTSD.
• An estimated 70% of adults in the United States have experienced some form of trauma in their lifetime, with approximately 20% developing PTSD as a result.

Statistics on the Treatment of PTSD

• Approximately 50% of individuals with PTSD do not receive any treatment for the condition.
• Among those who do seek treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of psychotherapy for PTSD, with an average success rate of 53%.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is another effective form of therapy for PTSD, with success rates ranging from 60-90%.
• Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines may also be used to treat PTSD, but their effectiveness varies widely depending on the individual.
• Complementary therapies such as yoga, meditation, and acupuncture have shown promise in reducing symptoms of PTSD, but more research is needed to determine their effectiveness.

Conclusion

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after an individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. PTSD can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. Women are more likely to suffer from PTSD than men, particularly if they have experienced sexual assault or abuse. Combat veterans are also at high risk for developing PTSD.

The prevalence of PTSD among individuals who experience trauma varies depending on the type of trauma experienced. Sexual assault survivors have the highest risk of developing PTSD, with approximately 94% experiencing symptoms in the two weeks following the attack and 30% continuing to experience symptoms nine months later.

Despite its prevalence, many individuals with PTSD do not receive treatment for their condition. Cognitive behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing are effective forms of therapy for treating PTSD, but more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of complementary therapies such as yoga and meditation.

Sources

• American Psychiatric Association. (2017). Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with posttraumatic stress disorder.
• Bisson JI, Roberts NP, Andrew M et al. Psychological therapies for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;12:CD003388.
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: In Depth.
• American Psychological Association. "By the Numbers: PTSD Among Military Veterans."
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. "Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services."
• National Center for PTSD. "Trauma Types."
• National Institute of Mental Health. (2020). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).
• "Prevalence and correlates of probable posttraumatic stress disorder and depression among secondary school students in Jos, Nigeria" by Owoaje et al. (2016)
• "Prevalence and correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder: A literature review" by Breslau et al. (1999)
• "Posttraumatic stress disorder among Canadian forces personnel deployed in support of the mission in Afghanistan, 2001–2008: Prevalence and risk factors" by Richardson et al. (2010)
• "Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Anxiety Among Gulf War Veterans: A Systematic Review" by King's Centre for Military Health Research (2017)
• "Estimated prevalence and incidence of sexual harassment and discrimination among US Army soldiers" by Street et al. (2020)

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