PTSD Statistics By Veterans, Responder and Demographics
Updated · Mar 14, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Editor’s Choice
- General PTSD Statistics
- By First Responders
- By Demographics
- By Possible Causes of PTSD Development
- By Veterans
- PTSD Statistics By Share of Mental Health Issues Among US College Students
- Share of American Adults Diagnosed With Selected Disorders
- Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Phases of PTSD
- How to Prevent PTSD?
- Understanding Traumatic Memories Insights From Brain Scans
- Conclusion
Introduction
PTSD Statistics: Stress has become a common part of daily life. Experts say that at a minor level, stress can be beneficial as it enhances the body’s thinking and working capacity. However, with today’s global lifestyle, stress seems to be more prevalent than the air we breathe. On a serious note, did you know that stress related to certain traumatic events can lead to PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder?
Recent PTSD statistics shed light on this mental condition, where individuals experience extreme anxiety, irritability, anger, and similar emotions. If you have been experiencing any symptoms that align with the data in these statistics, it may be time to schedule a consultation with a doctor.
Editor’s Choice
- Around 1 in 13 adults in the USA will go through post-traumatic stress disorder at some point in their lifetime.
- According to the National Women’s Study, around one-third of rape victims are likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder at some point in their lives. On the other hand, 11% of such women are unfortunately going through the mentioned disorder.
- The percentage of likeliness of PTSD development by gender is 6 out of 10 men and 5 out of 10 women.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder Statistics state that 1 in 9 women are likely to develop mentioned disorder at some point in their lives.
- The highest number of possibilities of post-traumatic stress disorder development is due to violent physical assault (32%) and sexual assault/ rape victims (49%).
- The lifetime prevalence is likely to be higher in individuals with a black ethnic background resulting in 8.7%, while Hispanics and whites contribute 7% and 7.4% respectively.
- Violent act witnesses or children who suffer from life-threatening conditions contribute to the likeliness of diagnosis at 7.3% and 10.4% respectively.
- At any time, around 5% of Americans or 13 million+ individuals have been diagnosed with the mentioned disorder.
- Veterans who are suffering from PTSD who experience insomnia are at a high risk of substance use disorder development.
- Individuals who are firefighters, police officers, paramedics, or disaster responders are at a high risk of PTSD development at some point in their lives.
General PTSD Statistics
- According to PTSD Statistics, 70% of Americans have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.
- Around 1 in 13 adults in the USA will go through post-traumatic stress disorder at some point in their lifetime.
- In any given year, at least 3.6% of adults in the USA are suffering from PTSD.
- Moreover, at any time, around 5% of Americans or 13 million+ individuals have been diagnosed with the mentioned disorder.
- As of 2023, around 7% of the population was studied to be suffering from PTSD, which makes 550 million people.
- General PTSD Statistics show that people with PTSD are 3 to 5 times more likely to experience a depressive disorder.
- According to Forbes Health, 80% of people suffering from PTSD are also likely to suffer from another mental health problem.
- Furthermore, the risk of physical health issues, and relationship problems along with reduced quality of life is severe in individuals with PTSD.
- According to the National Women’s Study, around one-third of rape victims are likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder at some point in their lives. On the other hand, 11% of such women are unfortunately going through the mentioned disorder.
By First Responders
- 80% of the first responders such as police officers, paramedics, firefighters, etc have experienced traumatic events during work, which caused 10 to 15% of them to suffer from PTSD.
- Individuals who are firefighters, police officers, paramedics, or disaster responders are at a high risk of PTSD development at some point in their lives.
- Constant exposure to emotionally distressing or life-threatening events that are likely to occur unexpectedly may lead to first-hand or secondary trauma experiences.
- According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1 in 3 first responders are likely to develop PTSD.
- Around 1 in 13 individuals with severe trauma are likely to develop PTSD.
By Demographics
- PTSD Statistics by demographic show that women are 2 times more likely to go through PTSD than men.
- The lifetime prevalence is likely to be higher in individuals with a black ethnic background resulting in 8.7%, while Hispanics and whites contribute 7% and 7.4% respectively.
- It is considered that Asian individuals have a low possibility of PTSD with 4%.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder Statistics state that 1 in 9 women are likely to develop mentioned disorder at some point in their lives.
- Around 5% of adolescents are likely to suffer from PTSD.
- The percentage of likeliness of PTSD development by gender is 6 out of 10 men and 5 out of 10 women.
- Studies on PTSD Statistics show that race-related trauma is the cause that leads to the diagnosis, rather it is not just ethnic background itself.
- Middle-aged black women are at a high risk of developing PTSD.
- Furthermore, native Americans or Alaska natives, African Americans, and US Latinos are more likely to develop PTSD.
- Individuals in different age groups have experienced PTSD at some point in their lives, which states as follows: 45 to 59 (3%), 30 to 44 (8%) 18 to 29 (6%), and 60 and more (3%).
By Possible Causes of PTSD Development
- According to experts in the healthcare industry, people who have faced losses during natural disasters may develop PTSD with a possibility of 3.8%.
- Furthermore, violent act witnesses or children who suffer from life-threatening conditions contribute to the likeliness of diagnosis at 7.3% and 10.4% respectively.
- The passing of some loved person, or victims of stabbing or shooting, and individuals who experienced serious accidents share the possibility at 14.3%, 15.4%, and 16.8% respectively.
- The highest number of possibilities of post-traumatic stress disorder development is due to violent physical assault (32%) and sexual assault/ rape victims (49%).
By Veterans
- Veterans who are suffering from PTSD who experience insomnia are at a high risk of substance use disorder development.
- Compared to the 6% general population, PTSD Statistics state that 7% of veterans are likely to suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives.
- Compared to deployed military personnel and non-deployed, deployed personnel are 3 times more likely to increase the risk of PTSD due to military deployments.
- 23% of Veterans using VA (Veterans Affairs) healthcare care are more likely to experience PTSD as compared to 7% of those who don’t.
(Reference: statista.com)
Between the academic year 2021 and 2023, the majority of college students in the USA stated anxiety as the top concern for their mental health issues resulting in 24.8%. Furthermore, depression, specific relationship problems, stress, and trauma were other leading concerns for the mentioned individuals.
(Reference: statista.com)
According to the PTSD Statistics 2023, post-traumatic stress disorder was the 3rd leading mental health issue in Americans, which led to 8% of diagnosed cases. Anxiety disorder and depression were the top leading most diagnosed disorders contributing 24% and 23% respectively.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Following are the symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In case you are experiencing any group of such feelings it is advised to visit a doctor as early as possible.
Feeling extremely anxious includes
- Getting panicked when such trauma is reminded
- Hypervigilance or extreme level of alertness
- Getting angry or upset easily
- Aggressive behaviour
- Constant feelings of irritability
- Get startled easily
- Finding hard to concentrate on everyday simple tasks
Recollection of events
- Nightmares
- Intrusive images or thoughts in mind
- Vivid flashbacks that feel like that event happened moments ago
- Extreme level of distress
- Constant sweating, pain, trembling, or nausea
Struggle to believe someone
- A constant feeling that you can’t trust anyone
- Feeling like no one can understand you
- Blaming self for what happened
- A feeling of no place on earth is safe
- Extreme levels of feelings such as guilt, shame, anger, and sadness
Denial of mental feelings
- Not able to express love or affection
- Not able to remember details of such events
- Constantly avoiding activities that related to traumatic events
- Feelings of being physically numb or cut off from feelings
- Being self-destructive or reckless
Phases of PTSD
Phase 1 (Impact Phase)
Phase 1 starts within a few hours of the occurrence of the specific traumatic event. The impact of phase 1 depends on the severity of the events. However, an individual may experience guilt, anxiety, fear, shock, helplessness, and hypervigilance.
Phase 2 (Rescue Phase)
In phase 2, the senses of the person are somewhat recovered as compared to phase 1. However, the feeling of distress and shock at an extreme level can be there. Furthermore, in Phase 2, mental and physical effects can be experienced such as numbness, hopelessness, despair, flashbacks, anxiety, denial, confusion, anger, and sadness.
Phase 3 (Intermediate Recovery Phase)
If an individual is not able to recover in phase 2 and start doing his/her daily life activities, and the severity of above mentioned physical and mental issues is increased then it comes to phase 3. Phase 3 consists of different feelings such as Altruism and Disillusionment. In Altruism in exchange for love or support received from others, the person may feel uncomfortable expressing any negativity because of fear of appearing as ungrateful.
On the other hand, in the disillusionment case, the opposite of Altruism is observed. Such as instead of feeling happy or being loved, the person who has received support and love still feels disappointed.
Phase 4 (The Long term reconstruction phase)
Compared to all previous stages, Phase 4 has a more concerned level of feelings including the future. It is followed by fear, depression, and resentment.
How to Prevent PTSD?
- Be in touch with people who support you or love you
- Believe in yourself that you can overcome this situation and it is not the end of the world
- Express your feelings freely to someone you trust
- Join mental health support sessions to purify your mind
- Do exercises daily
- Eat regularly and consume healthy food
- Perform activities that you love
- Control the mind by removing thoughts that represent negation.
- Shut down people who have aggressive behavior or can not understand you or your situation
- Visit doctors for any prescribed medications
- Stay within the environment which makes you feel safe.
- Avoid being alone after the incident has happened
- Talk freely about the incident to express your burden on mind and body
- Live in a stress-free environment
Understanding Traumatic Memories Insights From Brain Scans
- Scientists have discovered that traumatic memories have their way of working in the brain. This might help us understand why they are so strong and keep coming back.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) happens when someone has a memory that they can’t control. It might pop into their head during the day, or even when they sleep.
- According to PTSD Statistics, researchers from Yale University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai wanted to see how traumatic memories differed from other memories. They studied 28 people with PTSD. They scanned their brains while they listened to different memories. Some were neutral, some were sad, and some were traumatic.
- The scans showed clear differences. When people listened to sad memories, their hippocampus was very active. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that helps us remember things. But when they listened to traumatic memories, their hippocampus wasn’t active at all.
- This tells us that the brain is in a different state when it’s dealing with traumatic memories. It’s like the brain thinks the memory is happening right now, instead of in the past.
- Instead of the hippocampus, the traumatic memories activate another part of the brain called the posterior cingulate cortex (P.C.C.). This part of the brain is usually involved in thinking about things inside our heads, like daydreaming.
- The more severe a person’s PTSD symptoms were, the more active the P.C.C. was. This suggests that the P.C.C. might play a big role in traumatic memories.
- Some people with PTSD have found relief from treatments that ask them to think about their traumatic memories. These treatments try to make the memories less powerful. The new research suggests that this might be an important part of healing.
- One example is a soldier who kept remembering a chaotic scene from the past. In therapy, the soldier worked to fill in details around the memory. This helped turn the memory into something more like a regular sad memory.
- Other experts agree that the findings are important. Dr. Ruth Lanius, a PTSD researcher, says the research shows how traumatic memories are different. She thinks it can help therapists find better ways to treat PTSD.
- Dr. Brian Marx, from the National Center for PTSD, says the research is interesting. But he adds that it’s not the final word. He thinks more research is needed to understand PTSD and how to treat it.
- In the end, treating PTSD is complicated. What works for one person might not work for another. However, understanding how traumatic memories work in the brain is an important step forward. It could help millions of people find relief from their suffering.
Conclusion
PTSD or Post-traumatic stress disorder can happen to anyone and it is okay to talk freely about it. As stated in the PTSD Statistics, the reasons for such mental health issues are traumatic events such as rape, loss of property because of natural disasters, being homeless, loss of a loved person, etc. In case you are experiencing any mentioned symptoms it is important to visit doctors immediately.
The after-effects of traumatic events on mental and physical health may rarely completely go away, but if medications or treatments are completed on time, then there are chances to live a normal life again.
Sources
Joseph D'Souza started Coolest Gadgets in 2005 to share his love for tech gadgets. It has since become a popular tech blog, famous for detailed gadget's reviews and companies statistics. Joseph is committed to providing clear, well-researched content, making tech easy to understand for everyone. Coolest Gadgets is a trusted source for tech news, loved by both tech fans and beginners.
