The traumatic event that forms the basis of PSTD symptoms will unfortunately will never go away and this means symptoms can be 'triggered' at any stage of one's life. This is because you cannot really “undo” an event in your memory. However, patients can manage their symptoms with the right treatment.
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. But because the trauma that evokes the symptoms will never go away, there is a possibility for those symptoms to be “triggered” again in the future.
PTSD does not always last forever, even without treatment. Sometimes the effects of PTSD will go away after a few months. Sometimes they may last for years – or longer. Most people who have PTSD will slowly get better, but many people will have problems that do not go away.
In general, PTSD lasts longer in people who have experienced other traumatic events in the past, have current or past mental health difficulties, use fewer coping skills, and have little social support.
The individual can learn to cope with the symptoms, reframe their experiences and live a happy, healthy life with minimal disruptions. Treatment plans vary from one person to the next depending on their experiences, symptoms and goals and may include a combination of multiple interventions.
Post-traumatic stress disorder can disrupt your whole life — your job, your relationships, your health and your enjoyment of everyday activities. Having PTSD may also increase your risk of other mental health problems, such as: Depression and anxiety. Issues with drugs or alcohol use.
Symptoms include vivid memories, feeling constantly on edge and avoiding reminders of the event. It is common for people to have some of the symptoms of PTSD in the first few days after the traumatic event. Most will recover by themselves or with the support of family and friends. Others may need professional help.
In some cases, particularly where it is not treated, PTSD can last a very long time, perhaps the remainder of one's life. Most people with longstanding PTSD find that the symptoms are not steady in their severity.
Many older Veterans find they have PTSD symptoms even 50 or more years after their wartime experience.
Although some people recover within 6 months, others have symptoms that last for 1 year or longer.
With such an overlap it can be seen that both of these traumas have a detrimental effect upon the Amygdala, the Hippocampus and the Prefrontal cortex of the brain. Meaning that Emotional Trauma or PTSD does indeed result in brain injury/damage.
Like most mental illnesses, PTSD is not strictly curable. This condition is caused by trauma and causes serious symptoms that make normal functioning challenging or impossible. Treatment with special types of therapy and sometimes medication can make a big difference, but it is not a cure.
For some people, PTSD symptoms may appear later on, or come and go over time. Untreated PTSD can last for decades; you can even have PTSD and not know it. Here's the good news: you can get treatment for PTSD even after many years — and it works.
People with PTSD have been found to continue to produce high amounts of fight or flight hormones even when there's no danger. It's thought this may be responsible for the numbed emotions and hyperarousal experienced by some people with PTSD.
If you can recall times when you've overreacted, and perhaps have even been surprised at your own reactions, this may be a sign of trauma. It's not uncommon for people suffering from emotional trauma to have feelings of shame and self-blame.
Early development of these age-related conditions is thought to provide evidence that PTSD is associated with premature aging such that the stress of PTSD symptoms leads to an accelerated pace of cellular aging relative to chronological aging.
As people age, their PTSD symptoms may suddenly appear or become worse, causing them to act differently. It may be unsettling to see these changes in a loved one, but it's nothing to fear. Changes are common and treatment can help.
About 6 out of every 100 people (or 6% of the U.S. population) will have PTSD at some point in their lives. Many people who have PTSD will recover and no longer meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD after treatment. So, this number counts people who have PTSD at any point in their life, even if their symptoms go away.
Yes, people who experience PTSD symptoms can have relationships, but it might take a lot of work, and all parties will need to do their best to take care of their mental health.
If left untreated, PTSD symptoms may increase a person's risk of experiencing psychosis. It is estimated that half of those diagnosed with PTSD also experience psychosis at some point in their life. Those who have been subjected to combat or domestic violence are more at risk for psychosis symptoms.
People with PTSD stay in that “fight or flight” mode – leading to an inability to relax and participate fully in life. PTSD can make it difficult to trust others, and survivors may feel numb and distant from other people. Interest in social activities can be affected. Social withdrawal and isolation may occur.
Repeated Exposure to Trauma Does Not Make People Stronger, Shows New Study.
Understanding VA PTSD Ratings
A zero percent rating means that “PTSD has been diagnosed. The symptoms, however, are not severe enough to interfere with work or social functioning or to require continuous medication.” A 100% rating is for “total occupational and social impairment” due to specified symptoms.