How long can ptsd last

People of all ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. However, some factors may make you more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event, such as:. Many other traumatic events also can lead to PTSD, such as fire, natural disaster, mugging, robbery, plane crash, torture, kidnapping, life-threatening medical diagnosis, terrorist attack, and other extreme or life-threatening events. After surviving a traumatic event, many people have PTSD-like symptoms at first, such as being unable to stop thinking about what's happened.

Fear, anxiety, anger, depression, guilt — all are common reactions to trauma. However, the majority of people exposed to trauma do not develop long-term post-traumatic stress disorder. Getting timely help and support may prevent normal stress reactions from getting worse and developing into PTSD. This may mean turning to family and friends who will listen and offer comfort.

It may mean seeking out a mental health professional for a brief course of therapy. Some people may also find it helpful to turn to their faith community. Support from others also may help prevent you from turning to unhealthy coping methods, such as misuse of alcohol or drugs.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. More Information How trauma can affect memory. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Posttraumatic stress disorder. Arlington, Va. Accessed Dec. Clinician's guide to medications for PTSD. Treatment of PTSD. PTSD sufferers may find they continue to experience nightmares and flashbacks and are increasingly anxious and jumpy, despite the belief that they have dealt with the trauma.

Denial, confusion, despair, and hopelessness are a range of difficult emotions that can be felt at this stage of PTSD. This can often be the most destructive of stage, but also when the person living with PTSD may finally be willing to wholly confront the trauma that is controlling his or her life and also impacting the lives of others.

At this stage, people can be humbled by the outpouring or love and support for them, or alternatively, disappointed in the lack of care and concern shown to them by others. This short-term recovery includes transitioning to a new level of acceptance and understanding about the trauma and how it affects their lives. Healing can start to occur, and many people start to enjoy a more positive outlook, including a plan or steps to overcome PTSD.

When a person living with PTSD begins to work through and implement a recovery program, he or she has entered the reconstruction fifth stage. This is also known as the Integration Stage. Coping mechanisms are created and learnt to address symptoms, and these new skills are integrated into daily life and enable people to look forward in their lives, but some may become concerned about their futures, presenting as fear and depression.

The journey of the fifth stage may be a long one, and most people find they regress when suffering from a current stressful situation, including triggering events. Implementation of the coping strategies and skills learnt through a PTSD recovery program are consistently important at this stage for the person to continue to deal with their life.

The course of the illness will vary from person to person, and event to event. Some people recover within six months, while others have symptoms that last much longer, and PTSD can become chronic.

For others, the symptoms can fade over time, but increase again on an anniversary or at a triggering time in their life. The first symptoms can begin within weeks of a traumatic event and need to continue for up to three months or longer to be considered PTSD. In reality, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental and psychological reaction that occurs after a person experiences a significant and traumatic event.

Here is what you need to know about post-traumatic stress:. This process generally begins by focusing on emotions, thoughts, early life experiences, and beliefs. By recognizing and acknowledging recurring patterns in their lives, patients are able to develop new strategies for managing distress and changing behavior. Ultimately, the goal of psychodynamic therapy is to encourage patients to create healthier coping mechanisms to lessen their hyperarousal symptoms and increase both their self-esteem and their positive perception of the outside world.

From there, patients and psychologists evaluate the usefulness of these thoughts, finding alternative ways to think about their trauma. A more holistic approach to healing trauma, sensorimotor therapy works to address how trauma affects individuals somatically, or in their bodies. Often used with patients who have experienced developmental trauma like sexual abuse or violence, this form of therapy focuses on the theory that unresolved trauma can get trapped in the body.

In doing so, patients are better able to discuss trauma while remaining mindful of how their body responds to specific triggers. In some cases, people with PTSD are unable to fully recall what happened to them. Using back-and-forth movement and sound, EMDR helps individuals remember what took place. Afterward, therapists will typically ask the patient to discuss their experience, helping understand if they still associate that memory with a stress response.

This process helps patients face suppressed memories with clinical support. Sanjay Gupta told CNN. So, does PTSD ever go away? No, but with effective evidence-based treatment, symptoms can be managed well and can remain dormant for years, even decades.