DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Psychiatric Condition

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

HIGH SEVERITY

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and hyperarousal. Can develop after combat, assault, accidents, or natural disasters.

Global Affected

350.0M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Intrusive memories/flashbacks
Nightmares
Avoidance of reminders
Negative thoughts
Feeling emotionally numb
Hypervigilance
Startle response
Guilt or shame
Difficulty sleeping
Irritability

Treatment Options

Prolonged exposure therapy
Cognitive processing therapy
EMDR
SSRIs
Prazosin (nightmares)
Group therapy
Family therapy
MDMA-assisted therapy (phase 3)
Ketamine

Risk Factors

1Trauma exposure
2Combat exposure
3Sexual assault
4Childhood abuse
5Lack of social support
6Previous mental health issues
7Genetic factors
8Female gender (higher rates)
9First responder/military occupation

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Clinical interview (DSM-5)
  • 2PCL-5 screening
  • 3CAPS-5 gold standard
  • 4Trauma history assessment
  • 5Differential diagnosis
  • 6Substance use screening

Prognosis

Variable; 30% recover fully, 40% improve with residual symptoms, 30% chronic course. Early intervention improves outcomes. 50% have comorbid depression.

Prevention

  • Critical incident stress debriefing
  • Social support after trauma
  • Resilience training
  • Early intervention
  • Avoiding substance use as coping

Research Status

Trauma-focused psychotherapy (PE, CPT, EMDR) first-line. SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine) FDA-approved. MDMA-assisted therapy breakthrough designation. Ketamine for refractory PTSD. Stellate ganglion block trials. Brain stimulation research.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.psychiatry.org
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.