FACTS AND FIGURES
Learn about statistics, trends, and other relevant insights for behavioral health practitioners working to reduce health disparities and improve outcomes for people in underserved communities.
Identifying, Treating, and Accepting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) is a mental health disorder that some may develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening
or traumatic event, for example, combat, natural disaster, car accident, or sexual assault/ physical abuse. According to a 2019 study,
Gender Differences in Exposure to Potentially Traumatic Events and Diagnosis of PTSD by Racial and Ethnic Group, the lifetime prevalence
rates of PTSD was greater for women than men among whites (9.5% v. 3.6%), Latinos (5.3% v 3.2%), and African Americans (12.3% v. 5.1%)
[1]
.
In another 2019 study, Race-Related Traumatic Events Online and Mental Health Among Adolescents of Color, Latinx participants reported
increased depressive symptoms when exposed to Traumatic Events Online (TEO)
[2]. This
study also indicated that more frequent experiences of Traumatic events online (TEO) were associated with higher levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms
[2]. When
examining exposure to trauma or a potentially traumatic event, all minority groups are less likely to seek treatment for PTSD and related symptoms when compared to whites.
Furthermore, individuals who have co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders have poorer treatment outcomes, additional psychiatric problems,
and greater functional problems across multiple domains, including medical, legal, financial, and social, compared to those with just one disorder.
Source:
Identifying, Treating, and Accepting Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder
*** June is PTSD Awareness Month! To learn how you can help with outreach and education and raise awareness about the PTSD treatment options,
please visit the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, PTSD: National Center for PTSD web page
[1] Valentine, S. E., Marques, L., Wang, Y., Ahles, E. M., Dixon De Silva, L., & Alegría, M. (2019). Gender differences in exposure to potentially
traumatic events and diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by racial and ethnic group. General hospital psychiatry, 61, 60–68.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2019.10.008
*[2] Tynes, B. M., Willis, H. A., Stewart, A. M., & Hamilton, M. W. (2019). Race-Related Traumatic Events Online and Mental Health Among
Adolescents of Color. Journal of Adolescent Health, 65(3), 371–377.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.03.006 web page.