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This page contains information and summaries of published research that are intended for people with professional training in mental health.  We urge caution since it may be difficult to know how to interpret the information without advanced training in psychology or psychiatry.

We recommend that readers interested in information intended for the general public check other areas of this web site (such as Info for Adults or Info for Children).  They contain similar information, but in a more readable form.  Also, elsewhere we have provided links to other websites that we feel may be helpful.

 

LONGITUDINAL COURSE OF PTSD

   

Immediately following a trauma (within a day or so) 95% of people met PTSD Sx criteria (except duration; Foa & Rothbaum, 1998).  Some studies have examined the percentage of people whose symptoms remit following a traumatic event.  Rothbaum et al. (1992) examined women who survived a sexual assault and found that a gradually decreasing percentage of them continued to keep a PTSD diagnosis as time passed: 

2 weeks:         94%  meet criteria (excluding duration criteria)

1 month:         65%        (estimates for MVA survivors at one month are 34.4%.  See Ursano et al., 1999)

2 months:       52.3%

3 months:       47%        (estimates for MVA survivors at 3 months are 25.2%.  See Ursano et al., 1999)

6 months:       41.7%     (estimates for MVA survivors at one month are 18.2%.  See Ursano et al., 1999)

9 months:       47.1%

These statistics are similar to remission patterns for people with non-sex assault related PTSD, although the initial rates of PTSD are lower (initial 71% women and 50% men).

   

Note that spontaneous remission rates flatten considerably at about 3-6 months:

bulletProspective studies suggest that by 3-4 months post trauma and definitely by 6-8 months post trauma, the course of PTSD has become chronic and can no longer be expected to go away as a “normal” reaction to trauma might (Foa & Rothbaum, 1998)
bulletMcFarlane (1998): 69% of firefighters who had PTSD at 4 months post-trauma continued to still have PTSD later

   

Patterns of Remission or Worsening During the Months Following a Trauma:

bulletPeople who later develop PTSD tend to have significantly higher symptom levels immediately following a traumatic event (Foa & Rothbaum, 1998; Koren et al., 1999). 
bulletOver the course of the three months that follows the trauma, people who develop PTSD show a course of progressively worsening symptoms.  Those who do not develop PTSD appear to show a gradual amelioration of Sx (Koren et al., 1999).

 

A note regarding litigation and PTSD.  Although there has been interest in the question of expression of Sx when there is pending litigation, in terms of treatment it appears that when litigation is settled it does not result in a decrease in symptoms of PTSD (see Blanchard et al., 1998).

   

The prominence of intrusive symptoms decreases over time, whereas avoidant symptoms increase (McFarlane, 1997)

 

 

 

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The information posted on this site reflects our understanding of peer-reviewed research and generally accepted principles in psychology.  It is not intended to be used for self-treatment or as a substitute for individualized assessment and treatment by a licensed professional, and should not be construed as professional advice.

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