However, treatment can help, even if the traumatic event occurred many years ago. For some people, treatment can cure PTSD. For others, it can make symptoms less severe. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone at any time.
While symptoms can last for months or even years, effective treatment can dramatically improve daily functioning. The long-term prognosis for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder depends on each person's ability to cope with stress, substance abuse, the nature of social support, and the ability to stick to the individually designed treatment plan. About 30% of people recover over time and another 40% improve with treatment, although less severe symptoms may persist. Some of the patients receive the necessary support to make satisfactory adjustments and develop coping methods that allow them to overcome the symptoms of PTSD, even without formal treatment.
Comorbidities associated with PTSD worsen people's health status. If you have disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a month, if they're severe, or if you feel like you're having trouble regaining control of your life, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from worsening. Another factor that determines the prognosis of PTSD is the rate of remission with specific treatments used.
While it is true that the long-term remission of PTSD reaches 92% in the general population with mild PTSD (2), it can also reach 8% in some cases (2). In addition, repeated studies have demonstrated that a set of variables causes a decrease in the percentage of patients with PTSD who could face spontaneous remission over time. These variables include the severity of the traumatic incidence, younger age, illiteracy and lack of treatment. These variables can significantly compromise spontaneous remission in victims of PTSD (23-2).
Recovery from PTSD depends on several factors, including whether a person is being treated or on medication or not. Having this condition doesn't mean that a person is automatically bound to experience symptoms for the rest of their life.
