PTSD Statistics 2026: Prevalence, Trends, and Key Facts

Q: How common is PTSD in the general population?

PTSD affects about 6% of U.S. adults at some point in their lives. In any given year, roughly 3–4% of adults meet diagnostic criteria, according to national mental health surveys.

Q: Do most people with PTSD get treatment?

No. Fewer than 60% of adults with PTSD receive treatment, often due to access barriers, stigma, or lack of diagnosis.

DR. Lisa C. Palmer
1 day ago
5 min read

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to traumatic events such as violence, disasters, serious accidents, or military combat. While often associated with veterans, PTSD affects people of all ages and backgrounds.

Understanding the numbers behind PTSD helps clarify how common it is, who is most affected, and how outcomes differ by demographics and access to care. This article compiles the most reliable PTSD statistics available from trusted government and research sources.

You’ll find data on prevalence, trends over time, demographic differences, geographic patterns, outcomes, and treatment, presented in a clear, scannable format.

Key Takeaways From The Article:

At a glance, PTSD affects millions of people in the U.S. and around the world. These high-level statistics highlight how common the condition is, who is most impacted, and why it represents a major public health concern.

About 6% of U.S. adults will experience PTSD at some point during their lifetime, showing that it is a relatively common mental health condition.
An estimated 13 million Americans are living with PTSD in any given year.
Women are approximately twice as likely as men to develop PTSD following trauma exposure.
Roughly 7–8% of women in the U.S. experience PTSD at some point in their lives.
About 4% of men will develop PTSD over their lifetime.
PTSD affects around 5% of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18.
Nearly 1 in 5 people (20%) exposed to severe trauma go on to develop PTSD.
Among veterans, lifetime PTSD prevalence ranges from 7% to 15%, depending on service era.
PTSD is associated with a 2–3 times higher risk of co-occurring depression and substance use disorders.
Fewer than 60% of adults with PTSD receive any form of mental health treatment.
Evidence-based therapies lead to symptom improvement in more than 60% of patients.
PTSD contributes to higher rates of emergency care use, work impairment, and suicide risk.

Overview / General PTSD Statistics:

PTSD is a trauma-related mental health condition that can affect people of all ages. National surveys provide consistent estimates on how widespread PTSD is across the U.S. population.

Approximately 6% of U.S. adults will meet criteria for PTSD at some point in their lives.
About 3.6% of adults experience PTSD symptoms in a given year.
This represents roughly 13 million adults annually living with PTSD symptoms.
Around 8 out of every 100 people exposed to trauma develop PTSD.
PTSD can occur at any age, including childhood and adolescence.
The average age of PTSD onset falls between 23 and 25 years old.
Interpersonal violence and serious accidents are among the most common trauma sources linked to PTSD.

PTSD Prevalence Trends Over Time:

While overall PTSD prevalence has remained relatively stable, awareness, screening, and diagnosis have increased over the past two decades. Large-scale events also influence symptom rates.

Lifetime PTSD prevalence has stayed close to 6% since the early 2000s.
PTSD diagnosis rates increased by more than 30% between 2000 and 2020.
Self-reported trauma exposure rose by over 20% during the same period.
PTSD screening in primary care settings increased by approximately 40% after 2015.
Military conflicts following 9/11 led to noticeable prevalence increases among veterans.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, 10–20% of adults reported PTSD-related symptoms linked to pandemic stressors.

PTSD According To Demographics: Age and Gender:

PTSD does not affect all groups equally. Gender, age, and type of trauma play a major role in who develops symptoms and how severe they become.

Women have a lifetime PTSD prevalence of approximately 8%.
Men have a lifetime PTSD prevalence of about 4%.
Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD after experiencing trauma.
Adults aged 18–29 show the highest annual PTSD prevalence at roughly 5%.
Adults aged 60 and older have the lowest prevalence at about 2%.
Survivors of sexual violence experience PTSD at rates exceeding 30%.
Combat-exposed veterans show PTSD prevalence ranging from 7% to 15%.

PTSD In Teens and Young Adults:

PTSD in children, teens, and young adults is common but frequently underrecognized. Early trauma exposure can have long-lasting mental health effects.

Approximately 5% of U.S. adolescents meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD.
Adolescent girls are nearly three times more likely than boys to develop PTSD.
More than 60% of U.S. youth are exposed to at least one traumatic event by age 18.
Interpersonal violence accounts for over 40% of PTSD cases among teens.
Teens with untreated PTSD have twice the risk of developing depression.
Academic or school impairment affects more than 50% of adolescents with PTSD.

PTSD Prevalence By State/Region:

PTSD prevalence varies across regions due to differences in trauma exposure, access to care, and population risk factors such as military service and natural disasters.

Southern U.S. states report PTSD rates 10–20% higher than the national average.
States frequently affected by natural disasters see PTSD increases of 5–15% following major events.
Urban areas show higher PTSD prevalence related to community violence exposure.
Rural veterans experience similar PTSD rates but face lower access to treatment services.
Florida’s PTSD prevalence is estimated to be close to the national average of around 6%.

Florida offers a range of PTSD treatment centers providing evidence-based care, including trauma-focused therapy, outpatient programs, and specialized services for trauma survivors.

PTSD Outcomes, Risks, and Mortality:

PTSD is associated with serious mental and physical health consequences, particularly when left untreated. These outcomes highlight the importance of early identification and care.

PTSD doubles the risk of developing major depressive disorder.
Substance use disorders occur in 30–50% of individuals with PTSD.
Suicide risk is 2 to 3 times higher among people with PTSD compared to the general population.
Individuals with PTSD experience about 40% more emergency room visits.
PTSD is linked to a 20–30% increase in cardiovascular disease risk.
Work-related impairment affects more than half of adults living with PTSD.

PTSD Treatment and Prevention Stats:

Effective treatments for PTSD are widely available, but many individuals never receive care. Early intervention plays a key role in reducing long-term symptoms.

Only 59% of adults with PTSD receive any type of mental health treatment.
Evidence-based psychotherapies reduce PTSD symptoms in 60–80% of patients.
Medications help reduce symptoms in about half of treated individuals.
Early intervention after trauma lowers the risk of chronic PTSD by up to 50%.
Trauma-informed care programs reduce symptom severity by around 40%.
Routine screening after traumatic events increases early PTSD detection by over 35%.

If PTSD symptoms are affecting your quality of life, support is available at The Renew Center of Florida in Boca Raton. Our team provides evidence-based PTSD treatment focused on long-term healing and stability.

FAQs:

1. How common is PTSD in the general population?

PTSD affects about 6% of U.S. adults at some point in their lives. In any given year, roughly 3–4% of adults meet diagnostic criteria, according to national mental health surveys.

2. Is PTSD more common in women or men?

Women are about twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. This difference is linked to both trauma type and biological stress responses.

3. Can children and teens develop PTSD?

Yes. Around 5% of adolescents experience PTSD, often related to violence, abuse, or serious accidents. Early treatment improves outcomes.

4. Do most people with PTSD get treatment?

No. Fewer than 60% of adults with PTSD receive treatment, often due to access barriers, stigma, or lack of diagnosis.

5. Does PTSD go away on its own?

Some people improve over time, but many experience chronic symptoms. Evidence-based therapy significantly increases recovery rates.