Facts About PTSD and Suicide. (approx. 4½ - 5 min. read)

Life has been really hard since I started talking about “it” and I have to tell you there are times when I think about stopping, but as hard as it is; it’s helping to heal me.

Sure there are times when I want to curl up in a fetal position and sob like a baby (and I do), but I truly believe “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” So if there’s a week or two that you don’t hear from me, don’t worry; I’ll be back. I haven’t taken time off because I’ve given up; it’s because I’m being kind to myself.

...Besides, I know some of you are wondering who the heck I think I am writing about PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)? I’m not a Doctor and other than being diagnosed with PTSD, what do I know - right?! So this week; instead of writing my own blog, I decided to post an article that discusses the correlation between trauma and PTSD; not just combat and PTSD. It also has some mindboggling facts on why someone with PTSD needs to be kind to themselves when they are without the support of loved ones.

Stay safe, and stay strong.

35 Engrossing PTSD Suicide Statistics

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a common condition that is experienced by a wide variety of different people throughout the world. The most common belief is that PTSD is only experienced by veterans who are returning from their service but in reality, PTSD is the result of any traumatic event that is experienced by an individual. PTSD is a difficult condition to live with as it can bring forth an ample amount of negative effects such as inability to sleep, extreme anxiety, and even depression. With that being said, it is also the leading cause for suicide around the world.

1. In 2012 over 5000 suicides in the United States alone occurred as a result of combat-based PTSD.
2. PTSD related suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.
3. 7.5% of people in the world experience PTSD during their lifetime.
4. 5 million Americans suffer from PTSD on an annual basis.
5. Women are 2 times more likely (10%) to acquire PTSD than men (5%).
6. The majority of individuals with PTSD also suffer from further mental disorders such as depression.
7. Police officers, firefighters, war veterans, and EMT workers are more vulnerable to PTSD than traditional citizens.
8. Anyone who is suffering from PTSD is at an incredibly high risk for suicide.
9. 22% of people who had suffered PTSD from rape attempted suicide at one point in their lifetime.
10. 23% of individuals with PTSD from a physical assault event also attempted suicide at one point in their lives.
11. 24% of individuals who were confronted with sexual assault as a child attempted suicide throughout their lifetime.
12. The severity of PTSD depends on the severity of the situation and the duration of the event.
13. Aside from self-harm, sufferers from PTSD will be prone to other dangerous behavior such as violence, hatred, and estrangement.
14. 60% of women in the world experience a trauma at one point in their lives.
15. 50% of men experience a trauma at one point in their lives.
16. 11% to 20% of veterans from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars suffer from PTSD.
17. 10% of the Gulf War vets suffer from PTSD.
18. 30% of veterans from Vietnam suffer from PTSD.
19. 55% of women in the military developed a form of PTSD from sexual harassment and assault.
20. 38% of men in the military developed a form of PTSD from sexual harassment and assault.
21. 36.6% of PTSD victims are classified as severe cases (at-risk for suicide).
22. The majority of individuals suffering from PTSD are between the ages of 45 and 59, followed by 30 years of age and 44 years old.
23. 49.9% of people suffering from PTSD are currently in the process of receiving treatment via a licensed healthcare professional.
24. $42.3 billion is allocated to the prevention and assistance associated with PTSD treatment.
25. Individuals with PTSD have the highest rate of using healthcare services due to the fact that there are wide arrays of symptoms experienced from this disorder.
26. 60% to 80% of individuals who are victims of a severe traumatic event will develop PTSD.
27. 50% of outpatient mental health professionals have PTSD.
28. There have been higher rates of PTSD seen in African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics.
29. 1 in 5 veterans returning from combat will have PTSD.
30. 13% to 43% of boys and girls will experience a traumatic event during their childhood.
31. 30% to 60% of children who survive a specific disaster suffer from PTSD.
32. 33% of youth that are exposed to community violence develop PTSD.
33. 90% of sexually abused children develop PTSD.
34. 77% of children exposed to a school shooting develop PTSD.
35. Over 65% of children exposed to a traumatic event will attempt to take their own life at one point during their lifetime. 

References:

http://healthresearchfunding.org/engrossing-ptsd-suicide-statistics/