Untreated PTSD from any trauma is unlikely to disappear and can contribute to chronic pain, depression, drug and alcohol abuse and sleep problems that impede a persons ability to work and interact with others.

How long can PTSD last if untreated?

Symptoms usually start within 3 months of a trauma. But they might not show up until years afterward. They last for at least a month. Without treatment, you can have PTSD for years or even the rest of your life.

Can PTSD get worse if not treated?

Those who do not find treatment for PTSD allow their condition to get worse. The effects will increase until the victim no longer has control or can manage. When a person loses control to PTSD, every aspect of his or her life is affected.

How do I know if my PTSD is severe?

Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event. Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks) Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event. Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event.

Does PTSD have to be life threatening?

PTSD is the only psychiatric disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), that requires a specific life-threatening event to have occurred prior to diagnosing the illness.