Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs in 1 in 20 adults in the United States each year, with an estimated 6 percent of people being affected in their lifetime. While incidence rates are difficult to gauge, PTSD is reported at higher rates in women than in men (8 in 100 versus 4 in 100), primarily due to the types of traumas, like sexual assault, that women suffer compared to men. PTSD is also more common among veterans than civilians, with 7 percent of veterans experiencing it.
Part of the challenge of diagnosing PTSD is underreporting, leading to an overall underdiagnosis of the condition. In addition, if someone goes through a traumatic event (and about 70 percent of American adults experience at least one), it is not guaranteed they will develop PTSD. If PTSD does develop, it typically does so over time, also affecting reporting rates.
