Who Gets PTSD and Why? - PTSD Monthly Update, October 2016

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PTSD Monthly Update

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Feature Topic

For Providers

Research at the Center

PTSD in the News

October 2016 Issue

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Feature Topic

Who Gets PTSD and Why?

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You or your loved one can develop PTSD after going through, seeing or learning about an event involving actual or threatened death, such as combat, serious injury, natural disaster, or sexual violence. PTSD can happen to anyone. It is not a sign of weakness.

Can PTSD be prevented?

A number of factors can increase the chance that someone will have PTSD, many of which are not under that person's control.

For example, having a very intense or long-lasting traumatic event or getting injured during the event can make it more likely that a person will develop PTSD. PTSD is also more common after certain types of trauma, like combat and sexual assault.

Personal factors, like previous traumatic exposure, age, and gender, can affect whether or not a person will develop PTSD. What happens after the traumatic event is also important. Stress can make PTSD more likely, while social support can make it less likely.

Will people with PTSD get better?

portrait of a man, Understanding PTSD and PTSD Treatment

"Getting better" means different things for different people. There are many different treatment options for PTSD. For many people, these treatments can get rid of symptoms altogether.

Others find they have fewer symptoms or feel that their symptoms are less intense. Your symptoms don't have to interfere with your everyday activities, work, and your relationships.

Where can I get help?

PTSD Care for Everyone

PTSD Care for Veterans, Military and Family Members

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For Providers

Consult with PTSD Experts

The PTSD Consultation Program offers free PTSD consultation to any provider who treats Veterans in any setting. This program is now open to Community Providers.


PTSD Consultation Program

Have a question about PTSD? Contact us:
Call 866-948-7880 or
Email PTSDconsult@va.gov


PTSD Lecture Series

Free continuing education credits for our monthly lecture series:

Mark your calendar for the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2 pm ET.

Subscribe to receive monthly emails that include a registration link and instructions for joining the live lectures.

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Research at the Center

Trajectories of Change in PTSD in Combat-Exposed Veterans

Researchers are developing a large-scale registry of PTSD in combat-exposed OIF/OEF/OND male and female Veterans. The study will include an evaluation of long-term outcomes of PTSD; a more accurate assessment of current theoretical models of symptom development, and documentation of health resource utilization and a database that would serve as a resource for health services planning and policy.

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PTSD in the News

Supporting the mental health of our Veterans. Dr. Matthew J. Friedman will appear on PBS Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein along with other experts to discuss how to better assist returning service members including treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicide prevention. Read more.*


Be sure to forward this update to others so they can subscribe. We send one update per month to keep you informed of the latest PTSD developments.

Thank you,

The Staff of VA’s National Center for PTSD

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Produced by VA’s National Center for PTSD - Executive Division
Email: ncptsd@va.gov | Visit our Web site: www.ptsd.va.gov

*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website to a non government site.
VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of these linked websites.