The study found that adults exposed to PTEs tended to be older, veterans, and non-Hispanic white. It also found that they tended to have other health conditions, such as asthma, high blood pressure, sinusitis, ulcer, and doctor-diagnosed anxiety and depression. Those exposed to one or more PTEs were more likely to engage in illicit drug use, binge drinking, and heavy drinking and have substance use disorders, than adults who had not experienced PTEs. Similarly, those who had experienced PTEs were more likely to have mental illness, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), serious psychological distress, major depressive episodes, and suicidal thoughts in the past year. This study is important because trauma exposure and PTSD are associated with significant social, personal, and economic costs.
http://goo.gl/JjQQO1
A new SAMHSA Report highlights the correlation of exposure to traumatic events, the occurrence of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and negative health and behavioral health outcomes. This report was developed from a study on the characteristics of adults exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and adults who had PTSS, and their association with health and behavioral health conditions.