Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem. PTSD can only develop after you go through or see a life-threatening event. It’s normal to have stress reactions to these types of events, and most people start to feel better after a few weeks. If symptoms last longer than a month and are causing problems in your life, it could be PTSD.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

It’s common to experience distressing memories, feel anxious or on edge, or have trouble sleeping after going through a traumatic event. You might find it difficult to carry out everyday tasks like going to work or school, or even being around loved ones. These reactions are normal in the days and weeks following trauma, and for many people, symptoms gradually improve with time.

However, for some, symptoms may begin later or come and go. If it’s been more than a month and your thoughts or feelings about the event are still upsetting or interfering with your life, you may be experiencing PTSD.

What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?

There are 4 types of PTSD symptoms. To be diagnosed with PTSD, you need to have each type. That said, everyone experiences symptoms in their own way.

1. Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms). Memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time. They can feel very real and scary.
2. Avoiding things that remind you of the event. You may try to avoid situations or people remind you of the trauma event. You may even avoid talking or thinking about the event.
3. Having more negative thoughts and feelings than before the event. The way you think about yourself and others may become more negative because of the trauma.
4. Feeling on edge or keyed up (also called hyperarousal). You may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. You might suddenly become angry or irritable.

What Treatments Are Available?

Both trauma-focused psychotherapy (sometimes called counseling or talk therapy) and medication are proven to treat PTSD. Sometimes people combine psychotherapy and medication.

How Common is PTSD in Veterans?

Military service can involve exposure to intense and life-threatening experiences, such as combat, dangerous missions, or serious training accidents. These kinds of events can increase the risk of developing PTSD.

PTSD is slightly more common in Veterans than in the general population. About 7 out of every 100 Veterans (7%) will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, compared to 6 out of every 100 adults (6%) in the general population. Rates are higher among female Veterans—13 out of 100 (13%)—compared to 6 out of 100 (6%) male Veterans.

U.S. Veterans of Different Service Eras

The data below is from a large study of Veterans across the country:

Service Era	PTSD in the Past Year	PTSD at Some Point in Life
Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom	15 out of 100 (15%)	29 out of 100 (29%)
Persian Gulf War (Desert Storm)	14 out of 100 (14%)	21 out of 100 (21%)
Vietnam War	5 out of 100 (5%)	10 out of 100 (10%)
World War II and Korean War	2 out of 100 (2%)	3 out of 100 (3%)
NOTE: The data in this table is from Veterans alive at the time of the study. As such, it does not include Veterans in any service area who have died and may have had PTSD.

Help Raise PTSD Awareness

Currently, around 12 million people in the United States are living with PTSD.

While effective treatments are available, many people with PTSD don’t receive the help they need. You can help raise awareness by spreading the message that PTSD is treatable. Whether someone is a Veteran or a civilian who has experienced sexual assault, a serious accident, a natural disaster, or another traumatic event, it’s important to know that treatment can make a real difference and lead to a better quality of life.

Take a PTSD Self-Screen

Answer 5 questions about your symptoms using the VA online self-screen and learn how PTSD screening can help you learn if your symptoms might be PTSD.

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