PTSD - Risk factors

The risk factors for experiencing post traumatic stressRelating to injury or concern. disorder may be divided into two groups:

• The characteristics of the event
• The characteristics of the individual.

The characteristics of the event

An increased likelihood of developing PTSD depends largely on the characteristics of the trauma experienced, for example:[1-3]

• Greater severity (such as a greater degree of injury after a road traffic accident)
• Prolonged and repeated trauma
• Events involving intentional harm
• Events involving harm to children
• Close proximity.

In men, the types of trauma that most frequently lead to PTSD are military combat and witnessing someone being badly injured; in women, the events most commonly associated with PTSD are rape and sexual molestation.[1]

The characteristics of the individual

Factors relating to the individual that increase the risk for PTSD include:[1-6]

• A pre-existing depression or anxiety disorder; low self-esteem
• A family history of anxiety and neuroticism
• Abuse of alcohol or drugs
• A history of childhood behavioural problems
• A history of childhood abuse increases the risk for PTSD in adults
• Genetic factors (although family studies can be difficult to interpret)
• A significant panic-like response to the traumatic event and pronounced distress
• Intrusive memories of the event immediately after injury
• Social isolation or low levels of emotional support
• Female gender
• Ethnicity (black and Hispanic people are at greater risk than Caucasians).