Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition that occurs after being exposed to a traumatic incident. Read on for information about what causes this condition to occur, and what factors can increase your risk.
PTSD Causes
It is possible to develop PTSD after witnessing, experiencing, or even just learning about a horrific event that involves actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violation. However, it is possible for two people to experience the same event but only one go on to develop PTSD. This is because there are certain factors that can make you more susceptible to develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
The most common types of traumatic events that lead to the develop of post-traumatic stress include:
- Combat exposure
- Sexual assault
- Being threatened with a weapon
- Physical attack
- Childhood neglect or physical abuse
There are many other events that can lead to PTSD as well, such as natural disasters, robbery, plane crashes, kidnapping, torture, medical diagnosis, car accidents, terrorist attacks, or any other event that is extreme or life-threatening.
PTSD Risk Factors
Since not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will go on to develop PTSD, there are certain factors that can increase your risk. These include:
- Inherited mental health risks: If you are at an increased risk for anxiety or depression because you have close relatives who have these mental health conditions, you will be at an increased risk for PTSD.
- The way your body and your brain respond to stress: Your body releases hormones when you are exposed to stressful situations, but not everyone’s body works the same way. The way you respond to stress will determine your risk for PTSD.
- Inherited aspects of your personality: Your overall temperament will also help determine if you are at risk for developing PTSD. Certain personality types are at a higher risk than others.
- Experiencing long-lasting and intense trauma: The more you are exposed to a specific type of trauma, the more likely you are to develop PTSD.
- Having experienced other trauma earlier in your life: Childhood abuse or neglect will contribute greatly to your risk of developing PTSD in response to another stressful situation.
- Lacking a good support system of friends and family: For people who don’t have anyone they feel is there for them or who they can confide in, the risk of developing PTSD will be much higher. Having a circle of people who you trust can make a huge difference in how you respond when you are exposed to a traumatic event.
- Having a job that increases your risk of being exposed to traumatic events: People who work as military personnel or first responders are more likely to develop PTSD in response to the horrific and terrifying things they witness on a daily basis.
- Sex: Women are twice as likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder than men.
- Having other mental health problems: If you already suffer from anxiety or depression, you will be at an increased risk for PTSD as well.
