Why is PTSD more common today?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that affects people who have experienced or witnessed a significantly traumatic event and have ongoing impairment. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts about the trauma, avoidance of reminders of the event, negative changes in mood and thinking, and heightened arousal and reactivity. PTSD was first recognized as a distinct diagnosis in the 1980s, but it is only in recent years that its prevalence has become a significant public health concern. In this article, we will explore why PTSD is more common today than it has been in the past.


Increased awareness and diagnosis
One of the primary reasons why PTSD is more common today is that there is greater awareness of the condition, and healthcare providers are better able to diagnose it. In the past, PTSD was often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all, particularly among military veterans and survivors of sexual assault. Today, there is more recognition that PTSD can result from a range of traumatic experiences, and healthcare providers are trained to identify the symptoms and provide appropriate treatment.

Less time to process trauma
In our fast paced society, there is not as much time to process trauma as the past.  Even in military settings, boats returning soldiers home took much longer than with current easy access to flights.  A popular hypothesis was that soldiers would spend their time talking and processing their trauma during their longer travels.  Now soldiers are often expected to immediately return home and function well in society.  Outside of military settings, society is increasingly available for work tasks with smartphones and internet access.  After trauma, many employers want employees back at work quickly.  There is less time for self-care, counseling, treatment, and other coping mechanisms.


Greater exposure to trauma
Another factor contributing to the increased prevalence of PTSD is the fact that people are being exposed to trauma at higher rates than in the past. Traumatic events such as mass shootings, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks are more frequent and widely reported in the media. The media is increasingly negative and will repeatedly show events that spike ratings.  Additionally, social media has made it easier for people to be exposed to traumatic events that are happening in real-time, which can lead to vicarious trauma.


Changes in the nature of trauma
The nature of trauma has also changed over time, which may be contributing to the increase in PTSD cases. For example, in the past, traumatic events were more likely to be acute and short-lived, such as a car accident or physical assault. Today, people are more likely to experience chronic, ongoing trauma, such as childhood abuse or living in a war zone. This type of trauma can have a cumulative effect, leading to more severe and persistent symptoms of PTSD.


Higher rates of sexual assault
Sexual assault is a particularly traumatic experience that can lead to PTSD. Unfortunately, rates of sexual assault have been increasing in recent years, particularly on college campuses. This may be due in part to greater awareness and reporting of sexual assault, but it is also a reflection of broader social and cultural issues related to gender and power. 


Increased stress and anxiety
In addition to exposure to traumatic events, people today are experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety than in the past. Economic uncertainty, job insecurity, peer pressure, social media enhanced expectations, social isolation, and other factors can contribute to chronic stress, which can lead to the development of PTSD symptoms. Additionally, people today may be more likely to experience a traumatic event when they are already experiencing high levels of stress, which can make them more vulnerable to the effects of trauma.


Changes in the healthcare system
Changes in the healthcare system may also be contributing to the increased prevalence of PTSD. For example, the opioid epidemic has led to an increase in the number of people seeking treatment for substance use disorders, many of whom have also experienced trauma. Additionally, the trend towards deinstitutionalization of people with mental illness has led to more people living in the community, where they may be exposed to trauma and have less access to mental healthcare.

In conclusion, PTSD is more common today than it has been in the past due to a range of factors, including increased awareness and diagnosis, greater exposure to trauma, changes in the nature of trauma, higher rates of sexual assault, increased stress and anxiety, and changes in the healthcare system. While these trends are concerning, there is reason for hope. Greater awareness and understanding of PTSD can lead to better prevention and treatment, and there is a growing recognition that addressing trauma is essential for improving public health and well-being. By working together to address the underlying causes of trauma, we can better treat PTSD.  Even you believe you are experiencing PTSD, do not hesitate to seek treatment.