Understanding The Causes And Risk Factors For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when an individual experiences a traumatic event and following the event, they may experience differences in their emotional responses, heightened anxiety, flashbacks, obsessive thoughts about the event, and other symptoms. The symptoms may start a few days or weeks after the event, but there have been cases where it's years before symptom onset. PTSD is famously seen in war veterans, but nearly a third of the population is estimated to experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetimes. The actual prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder is much higher and can occur in anyone. Understanding the causes of PTSD and the risk factors for developing this mental illness will help everyone recognize the symptoms and receive treatment faster.