PTSD Statistics in the U.S.: Prevalence, Gender Differences & Impact
PTSD Statistics: Key Facts (United States & Global)
Source-linked PTSD facts focused on U.S. adults and adolescents, with global context. Primary sources: NIMH, VA—National Center for PTSD, WHO, Golden Steps ABA (compilation).
| Fact | Population/Scope | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Past-year PTSD prevalence: 3.6%. | U.S. adults (18+) | NIMH — PTSD statistics |
| Past-year PTSD by sex: Women 5.2%; Men 1.8%. | U.S. adults | NIMH — by sex |
| Lifetime PTSD prevalence: 6.8%. | U.S. adults | NIMH — lifetime |
| Past-year PTSD by age: 18–29 4.0%; 30–44 3.5%; 45–59 5.3%; 60+ 1.0%. | U.S. adults | NIMH — figure (adults by age) |
| Impairment distribution among adults with PTSD (past year): 36.6% serious, 33.1% moderate, 30.2% mild. | U.S. adults with PTSD | NIMH — severity |
| About half of U.S. adults experience ≥1 traumatic event; most do not develop PTSD. | U.S. adults | NIMH — overview |
| Lifetime PTSD in adolescents: 5.0%; severe impairment: 1.5%. | U.S. adolescents (13–18) | NIMH — adolescents |
| Adolescent PTSD by sex (lifetime): Girls 8.0%; Boys 2.3%. | U.S. adolescents | NIMH — adolescents by sex |
| Adolescent PTSD by age (lifetime): 13–14 3.7%; 15–16 5.1%; 17–18 7.0%. | U.S. adolescents | NIMH — figure (teens by age) |
| About 6% of adults will have PTSD at some point in life. | U.S. adults | VA — lifetime risk |
| About 5% of U.S. adults have PTSD in a given year; approx. 13 million in 2020. | U.S. adults | VA — annual prevalence |
| Lifetime risk by sex: women ~8% vs men ~4% (≈2× higher for women). | U.S. adults | VA — gender difference |
| Veterans are more likely to have PTSD than civilians; deployment to a war zone increases risk. | U.S. veterans | VA — veterans risk |
| PTSD is less common among older adults; lifetime PTSD ≈ 3% for 65+ vs ≈ 7% under 65. | U.S. adults (age 65+ vs <65) | VA — older adults |
| Estimated global lifetime PTSD: 3.9%. | Worldwide | WHO — key facts |
| Most people exposed to potentially traumatic events do not develop PTSD. | Worldwide | WHO — overview |
| Feeling supported by others after trauma reduces PTSD risk. | Worldwide | WHO — key facts |
| More women are affected by PTSD than men. | Worldwide | WHO — key facts |
| Rates are higher after violent conflict/war — about 15.3% among those exposed. | Conflict-affected populations | WHO — conflict settings |
| Up to 40% of people with PTSD recover within one year; in LMICs only ~1 in 4 seek any treatment. | Worldwide | WHO — course & care |
| First-line psychological treatments: trauma-focused CBT and EMDR. | Clinical guidance | WHO — treatments |
| About 7–8% of people will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. | U.S./general | Golden Steps ABA — prevalence list |
| Women are roughly 2× as likely as men to develop PTSD. | U.S./general | Golden Steps ABA — prevalence list |
| PTSD is more common after multiple traumas. | U.S./general | Golden Steps ABA — prevalence list |
| Military veterans are at higher risk of PTSD than the general population. | U.S. veterans | Golden Steps ABA — prevalence list |
| First responders (police, firefighters) also face higher PTSD risk. | U.S. first responders | Golden Steps ABA — prevalence list |
| About 1 in 3 survivors of sexual assault develop PTSD. | Survivors of sexual assault | Golden Steps ABA — prevalence list |
| Americans who experience ≥1 traumatic event: ~70%. | U.S. population | Golden Steps ABA — category data |
| Americans with PTSD (any year): ~5%. | U.S. population | Golden Steps ABA — category data |
| American adults with PTSD (any year): ~5% (~13 million). | U.S. adults | Golden Steps ABA — category data |
| PTSD cases that are serious: 36.6%. | U.S. adults with PTSD | Golden Steps ABA — category data |
| PTSD cases that are moderate: 33.1%. | U.S. adults with PTSD | Golden Steps ABA — category data |
| PTSD cases that are mild: 30.2%. | U.S. adults with PTSD | Golden Steps ABA — category data |
| Women who will get PTSD in their lifetime: listed as ~11% (1 in 9). | U.S. women | Golden Steps ABA — category data |
| Women in the military who report sexual assault: 23% (risk factor for PTSD). | U.S. women in military | Golden Steps ABA — category data |
| Male veterans who experienced sexual harassment: 38% (risk factor for PTSD). | U.S. male veterans | Golden Steps ABA — category data |
| PTSD prevalence ages 45–59: 5.3%. | U.S. adults 45–59 | Golden Steps ABA — category data |
| PTSD prevalence: female adolescents (13–18) 8%. | U.S. teen girls | Golden Steps ABA — category data |
| PTSD prevalence adults 60+: 1%. | U.S. adults 60+ | Golden Steps ABA — category data |
| Core symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety. | Clinical features | Golden Steps ABA — impact |
| People may avoid reminders of the trauma (places, situations). | Clinical features | Golden Steps ABA — impact |
| PTSD can interfere with work or school functioning. | Daily functioning | Golden Steps ABA — impact |
| PTSD increases risk of substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. | Comorbidity risk | Golden Steps ABA — impact |
| PTSD affects relationships with family and friends. | Social impact | Golden Steps ABA — impact |
| People with PTSD are at higher risk of suicide. | Safety risk | Golden Steps ABA — impact |
| PTSD is treatable with therapy, medication, or both. | Treatment overview | Golden Steps ABA — treatment |
| Trauma-focused CBT is a common, effective treatment. | Treatment — psychotherapy | WHO — treatments |
| EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is also effective. | Treatment — psychotherapy | WHO — treatments |
| SSRIs can help with PTSD symptoms when indicated. | Treatment — medication | Golden Steps ABA — treatment |
| Service dogs may provide supportive benefits for some people with PTSD. | Supportive care | Golden Steps ABA — treatment |
| PTSD among Iraq/Afghanistan veterans: approx. 11–20%. | U.S. veterans (recent-era) | Golden Steps ABA — veterans |
| Vietnam War veterans have higher PTSD rates than other wars. | U.S. veterans (Vietnam) | Golden Steps ABA — veterans |
| Veterans with PTSD more likely to have chronic pain and sleep disorders. | U.S. veterans | Golden Steps ABA — veterans |
| Veterans with PTSD have higher risk of unemployment/homelessness. | U.S. veterans | Golden Steps ABA — veterans |
| Veterans with PTSD face elevated suicide risk. | U.S. veterans | Golden Steps ABA — veterans |
| ~1 in 4 police officers report PTSD-like symptoms. | Police | Golden Steps ABA — first responders |
| ~1 in 3 firefighters report PTSD-like symptoms. | Firefighters | Golden Steps ABA — first responders |
| PTSD among first responders is linked to higher alcohol/substance problems. | First responders | Golden Steps ABA — first responders |
| First responders with PTSD more likely to report suicidal thoughts. | First responders | Golden Steps ABA — first responders |
| Children can develop PTSD after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. | Children | Golden Steps ABA — children |
| ~15–43% of girls and ~14–43% of boys experience at least one traumatic event before 18. | U.S. children | Golden Steps ABA — children |
| Common child PTSD symptoms: bedwetting, nightmares, separation anxiety. | Children (symptoms) | Golden Steps ABA — children |
| Child PTSD can impair school performance and social relationships. | Children (functioning) | Golden Steps ABA — children |
| Women experience sexual assault more often, a major driver of PTSD risk. | Women (risk) | WHO — risk & sex differences |
| Women with PTSD more likely to have comorbid depression/anxiety. | Women (comorbidity) | Golden Steps ABA — women |
| Women with PTSD may report more chronic pain and physical health issues. | Women (physical health) | Golden Steps ABA — women |
| Men more often experience combat-related trauma, increasing PTSD risk. | Men (risk) | VA — trauma types by sex |
| Men with PTSD may display more anger/aggression issues. | Men (symptoms) | Golden Steps ABA — men |
| Men with PTSD may engage in more risk behaviors, including substance use. | Men (risk behavior) | Golden Steps ABA — men |
| Minority groups often experience higher trauma exposure than White Americans. | U.S. minorities | Golden Steps ABA — minorities |
| Minorities with PTSD are less likely to receive treatment. | U.S. minorities | Golden Steps ABA — minorities |
| Minorities with PTSD show higher rates of comorbid mental health conditions. | U.S. minorities | Golden Steps ABA — minorities |
| Workplace violence/accidents can lead to PTSD. | Workers after trauma | Golden Steps ABA — workplace |
| ~7–19% of workers who experience workplace trauma develop PTSD. | Workers after trauma | Golden Steps ABA — workplace |
| Workers with PTSD may have difficulty returning to work. | Workers after trauma | Golden Steps ABA — workplace |
| PTSD can follow many events: disasters, accidents, violence, combat. | All ages | WHO — overview |
| Severity of the trauma alone doesn’t perfectly predict PTSD risk. | All ages | Golden Steps ABA — trauma facts |
| PTSD may develop immediately after trauma or months/years later. | All ages | Golden Steps ABA — trauma facts |
| Stigma can prevent people with PTSD from seeking care. | All ages | Golden Steps ABA — stigma |
| Many people with PTSD feel shame/embarrassment about symptoms. | All ages | Golden Steps ABA — stigma |
| Education and awareness reduce stigma and improve help-seeking. | All ages | Golden Steps ABA — stigma |
Key Takeaways
PTSD is common but treatable. About 3.6% of U.S. adults have PTSD in a given year and 6.8% experience it at some point in life, per the National Institute of Mental Health.
Women are affected more than men. NIMH estimates 5.2% of women vs. 1.8% of men had PTSD in the past year; the VA’s National Center for PTSD likewise notes women are roughly twice as likely to develop PTSD.
Severity varies. Among adults with PTSD, about 36.6% have serious impairment, 33.1% moderate, and 30.2% mild, according to NIMH.
Teens are not exempt. Roughly 5.0% of adolescents (13–18) have had PTSD; girls show higher rates than boys (NIMH).
Exposure is widespread. About 70% of Americans experience at least one traumatic event, but only a minority develop PTSD; see WHO’s PTSD fact sheet and this U.S. roundup from Golden Steps ABA.
Effective care exists. First-line treatments include trauma-focused CBT and EMDR, per the World Health Organization.
For a broader snapshot across conditions, visit our Mental Health Statistics 2025 blog post.
Prevalence of PTSD in Adults and Adolescents
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is relatively common in the U.S. adult population. According to NIMH data, an estimated 3.6% of U.S. adults had PTSD in the past year, and about 6.8% have had it at some point in their lives (lifetime prevalence). This means roughly 1 in 25 adults are affected in any given year. These surveys (based on DSM-IV criteria) were conducted in the early 2000s, so current rates may vary slightly, but they give a clear picture that millions of Americans experience PTSD. For example, the VA’s National Center for PTSD reports about 5% of adults (around 13 million Americans in 2020) have PTSD in a given year, consistent with the NIMH estimates.
Adolescents also experience PTSD, though at somewhat similar or lower rates. In the NIMH survey of teens (ages 13–18), 5.0% had lifetime PTSD. Among those teens with PTSD, about 1.5% had “severe impairment” from their symptoms (using DSM-IV criteria). Notably, PTSD rates rise with age even within the teen group: only ~3.7% of 13–14-year-olds had PTSD, versus 7.0% of 17–18-year-olds. This likely reflects the accumulation of trauma exposure and stress during late adolescence.
The fact that about 70% of people (globally and in the U.S.) experience a potentially traumatic event in their lifetime highlights why PTSD, though a minority outcome, still affects millions. WHO notes that even though most people will face trauma, only about 5.6% go on to develop PTSD. In the U.S., that corresponds roughly with the 5% annual prevalence noted above.
PTSD often co-occurs with anxiety; see our latest Anxiety Statistics 2025 for prevalence and treatment patterns.
Gender and Age Differences
PTSD shows striking gender disparities. In the U.S., women are about twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. For example, one CDC/VA report finds about 8% of women versus 4% of men have PTSD in their lifetime. Similarly, annual rates are higher in women (about 5.2% of women vs. 1.8% of men had PTSD in the past year, per NIMH). This gap is largely attributed to differences in trauma exposure. Women are more likely to experience sexual violence, which carries a very high PTSD risk. Golden Steps ABA reports that roughly 1 in 3 survivors of sexual assault develop PTSD, highlighting how trauma type drives these statistics. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to experience combat, accidents, or physical violence.
“In clinical practice, we often see that women with PTSD may have been through repeated interpersonal traumas like assault or abuse, while men’s PTSD sometimes comes more from accidents or combat. Both are valid, but awareness of these patterns helps tailor therapy.”
Age is also a factor. As noted, PTSD is less common in older adults. A large U.S. survey found only about 3% of adults aged 65+ have PTSD (lifetime) versus 7% of younger adults. This may be due to resilience, cohort effects, or higher mortality among those with chronic PTSD. Nevertheless, younger adults (18–45) tend to show the highest rates, likely because they have higher exposure to trauma (e.g. through work or service). Interestingly, Golden Steps reports only ~1% of adults 60+ have PTSD, reinforcing that PTSD prevalence drops with age. Because depression frequently accompanies PTSD, our Depression Statistics 2025 guide breaks down who’s most affected and what helps.
Severity, Impairment, and Recovery
Not all PTSD cases are equal in severity. Among U.S. adults with PTSD (in the past year), NIMH data shows the burden is roughly evenly split: 36.6% were rated as having serious impairment, 33.1% had moderate impairment, and 30.2% had mild symptoms. In other words, about one-third of those with PTSD experience severe disruption (e.g. major disability at work or home). This underscores that PTSD can be a deeply disabling condition for many. For adolescents, NIMH reports 1.5% had severe impairment.
On the brighter side, many recover with support. WHO notes that up to 40% of people with PTSD recover within one year. Access to evidence-based treatments (therapy and/or medication) can greatly improve these odds. In fact, WHO and other experts stress that PTSD is highly treatable. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a trauma focus and Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) are among the most effective treatments.
Veterans and first responders often have higher PTSD rates. For example, about 11–20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have PTSD, compared to ~5% of the general adult population. Golden Steps reports that roughly 1 in 4 police officers and 1 in 3 firefighters show PTSD symptoms (though these are estimates from various studies). Kayla notes that trauma accumulation in certain jobs makes intervention critical.
Implications and Support
The impact of PTSD extends beyond prevalence numbers. PTSD can lead to secondary issues like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide risk. It also impairs social and occupational functioning. Recognizing these statistics helps target resources. For instance, knowing that 8% of women may develop PTSD informs screening protocols in healthcare settings.
FAQ
Q: How common is PTSD in the U.S.?
A: PTSD is relatively common. Around 3.6–5% of U.S. adults have PTSD in any given year (estimates vary by source). Over a lifetime, about 6–7% of Americans will experience PTSD. In concrete terms, roughly 13 million Americans had PTSD in 2020. Among adolescents, about 5% have had PTSD by age 18.
Q: Are women more likely to get PTSD than men?
A: Yes. Data show women have roughly double the PTSD rate of men. For example, about 8% of women vs 4% of men in the U.S. have PTSD in their lifetime. Similar gender gaps appear in yearly rates (5.2% of women vs 1.8% of men).This is partly due to the types of traumas women face; for instance, sexual assault (experienced by more women) carries a high PTSD risk.
Q: Can teenagers or children get PTSD?
A: Absolutely. PTSD can develop at any age after trauma. Among U.S. adolescents (13–18), about 5.0% have had PTSD in their lifetime. Girls aged 13–18 have higher rates (around 8%) than boys (2.3%). Younger children can also get PTSD, though their symptoms may look different (e.g. nightmares, behavior changes). Early therapy is important if a child shows trauma symptoms.
Q: How severe is PTSD and can people recover?
A: Severity varies. Of adults with PTSD, 36.6% have serious impairment in daily life. That means their symptoms significantly interfere with work, relationships, or self-care. However, many recover: up to 40% of people with PTSD recover within one year, often helped by therapy. Treatments like trauma-focused CBT and EMDR have strong evidence of effectiveness. With help, even “severe” cases can improve over time.
Q: What treatments help PTSD?
A: Evidence-based treatments include trauma-focused psychotherapy (like cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure work, or EMDR). Medications (such as SSRIs) can also help manage symptoms. WHO notes that psychological therapies are the first-line treatments. Self-care strategies (routine, support from family, reducing substances, healthy sleep) can support therapy.
