PTSD causes and risk factors
The traumatic event can be anything which threatened your life or safety. Examples include:
- car or other serious accident (this is the leading cause of PTSD in Australia)
- physical or sexual assault
- war or torture
- disasters such as bushfires or floods.
You’re at greater risk of developing PTSD if:
- the event involved deliberate harm such as physical or sexual assault
- you had repeated traumatic experiences such as childhood sexual abuse or living in a war zone.
- you have a past history of trauma or previous mental health problems.
- you have ongoing stressful life events after the trauma and not enough social support.
If you have PTSD, you’re not alone:
- around 12 per cent of Australians experience PTSD in their lifetime
- around 6 per cent experience it in any 12 month period.
Signs and symptoms of PTSD
Loading component...
I felt like I was in this sealed glass box that just moved where I moved."
