Causes & Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Learn about PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder, otherwise known as PTSD, is a mental health condition that arises after one has experienced one or more traumatic events. The specific types of trauma that can lead to the development of PTSD can include (however are not limited to) sexual violence, military combat, physical assault, natural disasters, sudden catastrophic medical events, and severe auto accidents. PTSD can develop from either going through these events personally or from watching them happen to someone else.

Those with PTSD might have upsetting memories of the event or events, nightmares linked to the trauma, and dissociative reactions (otherwise known as “flashbacks”) where they feel as though they are going through the event all over again. Because of these and other reactions, those with PTSD might change their behaviors just to avoid people, places, things, or situations that keep the trauma fresh in their memory. They might also develop unintentional changes in their mood, perception, and attitude.

When an individual is grappling with a substance use disorder and has developed PTSD, his or her overall experience can be incredibly challenging. One common way that those with PTSD attempt to decrease the impact of the upsetting memories that they have is through the abuse of alcohol and/or drugs. When an individual has already developed a substance use disorder, his or her reliance on the drug might grow stronger, and can also be joined by other forms of substance abuse. While being under the influence can seem like a simple way to relieve one’s psychological pain, substance abuse will only make all symptoms of PTSD more severe and stand in the way of recovery from both conditions.

Those who are suffering from co-occurring substance use disorders and PTSD require professional care. With the appropriate treatment, these individuals can obtain relief from their symptoms, work through the issues that added to the development of their conditions, and learn healthy coping skills that will aid in achieving long-term recovery.

PTSD statistics

Roughly 3.5% of individuals living in the country will develop PTSD in any 12-month period of time, and the lifetime risk of suffering from this disorder is nearly 8.7%. The chance of developing PTSD is much greater in women than in men. The National Center for PTSD states that approximately 10% of women will develop PTSD at some point in their lives in comparison to about 4% of men. Experts estimate that 20%-43% of adults with PTSD also struggle with a substance use disorder, compared to a rate of 8%-25% in the general population. For combat veterans who have PTSD, the rate of substance abuse is 75%.

Causes and risk factors for PTSD

The one factor that is required for PTSD to develop is experiencing one or more traumatic events. However, a number of other aspects can add to an individual’s response to trauma, including:

Genetic: Studies show that specific genotypes may decrease or increase the chances that an individual who has experienced trauma will develop PTSD as a result of their experience.

Environmental: Before the traumatic event or events occur, environmental influences such as lower educational progress, poverty, childhood adversity, and family history of mental illness can heighten an individual’s chances of developing PTSD following the traumatic event. During and after the traumatic event or events occur, aspects such as exposure to reminders of the event, the severity of the event, other adverse life effects, and the lack of a healthy support system can add to the onset of this mental health condition.

Risk Factors:

• Lower education level
• Lower intelligence
• Being a member of a minority racial or ethnic group
• Low socioeconomic status
• Poor coping skills
• Prior mental health issues
• Insufficient social support
• Experiencing interpersonal violence
• Being younger at the time of the traumatic event or events
• Being female

Signs and symptoms of PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder may be exhibited through a vast array of symptoms depending on a number of aspects. Below are some of the most common signs and symptoms of PTSD:

Behavioral symptoms:

• Engaging in substance abuse
• Withdrawing from family or friends
• Avoiding certain events, situations, or people
• Reckless or otherwise self-destructive behaviors
• Fighting, destruction of property, and other acts of violence
• Diminished participation in important activities

Physical symptoms:

• Exaggerated startle response
• Sleep disturbances
• Hyperarousal

Cognitive symptoms:

• Recurrent distressing memories
• Depersonalization
• Memory problems
• Difficulty concentrating
• Derealization
• Vivid and disturbing nightmares

Psychosocial symptoms:

• Persistently negative mood
• Angry outbursts
• Hypervigilance

Effects of PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder that goes untreated can have a severely negative impact on all areas of an individual’s life. Below are some of the most common effects that have been linked to untreated PTSD:

• Development of additional mental health disorders
• Homelessness
• Suicidal ideation
• Suicide attempts
• Diminished performance at work
• Job loss and unemployment
• Substance abuse and addiction
• Injury to self or others due to violence or recklessness
• Inability to establish or maintain interpersonal relationships
• Family discord

PTSD and co-occurring disorders

Those who struggle with PTSD are at a much greater risk for also experiencing symptoms of additional mental health conditions. Below are some of the most typical co-occurring disorders known to occur alongside PTSD:

• Anxiety disorders
• Bipolar disorders
• Major neurocognitive disorder
• Substance use disorders
• Depressive disorders