For those struggling with PTSD, symptoms can be truly harrowing; they can be disruptive to everyday life, as well. While these symptoms tend to start immediately after the traumatic event, this is not always the case: Sometimes symptoms do not begin for months or even years after the event. Some of the most common symptoms of PTSD include:
How Common is PTSD?
A common misconception is that PTSD is something that primarily affects Armed Service veterans. The reality is that this condition is much more common than that; in fact, the National Center for PTSD estimates that 6 percent of Americans will experience PTSD at some time in their lives. About5 percent of U.S. adults experience PTSD within the span of a given year. Also worth noting: Women are almost twice as likely as men to experience PTSD.
A related question: What are the experiences that most commonly result in PTSD? For men, the most common ones are combat exposure, sexual assault, and either neglect or abuse experienced during childhood. For women, meanwhile, the most common sources of trauma are sexual abuse or assault, physical attack and being threatened with a gun or other weapon. However, any event that causes horror and feelings of helplessness could potentially cause PTSD.
1Va.gov: Veterans Affairs. How Common is PTSD in Adults?
Get Help at our Treatment Center for PTSD and Substance Use
An experience with trauma may seem like it has turned your world on its head. The good news is that you can still lead a happy, healthy and fulfilling life. Recovery is possible, but it does not happen overnight. To start down the path of recovery, you need to develop the coping and stress management skills required to face each day’s challenges anew. That is something the WestBridge team can help you with.
Learn more about recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder, for you or your loved one. Contact WestBridge today.
WestBridge provides evidence-based treatment for adults and their families experiencing mental illness with or without substance use. Contact for inquiries and questions. For more information about our programs, please visit https://www.westbridge.org/programs/.