Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Causes & Risks

Causes

The exact cause of PTSD is unknown. PTSD is triggered by exposure to a traumatic event. Situations in which a person feels intense fear, helplessness, or horror are considered traumatic. PTSD has been reported in people who experienced:

War
Rape
Physical assault
Earthquakes
Fire
Sexual abuse
Motor vehicle accidents

Synapses in the Brain

Researchers are studying how problems with synapses in the brain may be linked to PTSD.

Risk Factors

Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD. Symptoms of PTSD are more likely to occur if the person has:

Previous traumatic experiences
A history of being physically abused
Poor coping skills
Lack of social support
Existing ongoing stress
A social environment that produces shame, guilt, stigmatization, or self-hatred
Alcohol abuse
Family psychiatric history

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