Life stressors are also a risk factor. When people are currently experiencing life stressors, such as divorce, financial difficulties, work stress, or children who have emotional problems at school or home, the likelihood of developing PTSD may increase. There are several risk factors involved in the development of PTSD. Emotional and psychological abuse, military service, sexual trauma, and your mental health history are just a few of the factors that may increase your risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder.
Genetics and gender, as well as your social and socioeconomic environment, also influence your risk. Researchers have found that, among women of European and American origin, in particular, about a third (29 percent) of the risk of developing PTSD after a traumatic event was influenced by genetic factors. PTSD can affect your body, so it's important to take time to relax and develop healthy lifestyle habits. Psychotherapy and medications that are administered after exposure to trauma can be very effective in reducing the risk of developing PTSD, explains Dr.
Understanding that not all people who suffer trauma will develop PTSD, so she shares the importance of this genetic research in order to be able to intervene quickly after trauma for people identified as having greater genetic risk. Large cohorts of studies explore genetic and biological factors and their roles in the development of PTSD. Another risk factor in developing post-traumatic stress disorder after a traumatic event is having experienced another trauma in the past. It has been shown that the more intense the event, such as witnessing death or extreme violence or having been injured during the traumatic event, can be a risk factor.
Exposure to trauma is the factor that initiates PTSD, however, there may be other influential elements to consider. People who generally try to deal with challenges in isolation may be at greater risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder. About 70 percent of American adults have experienced a traumatic event at some point in their lives and, as a result, about 20 percent of them develop PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after a very stressful, frightening, or distressing event, or after a prolonged traumatic experience.
The lack of social support for people who have experienced traumatic events is a critical risk factor for people at risk of developing PTSD. Pre-trauma mental health conditions can also increase the risk of developing PTSD, especially in mental health conditions such as anxiety-related disorders and mood disorders. A history of mental health problems before the traumatic event may also be a risk factor in the development of PTSD. People who continue to experience these symptoms and reactions after an initial period may have developed post-traumatic stress disorder.
According to a new study, women with a history of exposure to trauma may be at greater risk of suffering early cognitive decline that can lead to dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
