When Does PTSD Go Away—Or Does It?

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition arising out of a traumatic event and characterized by anxiety symptoms, intrusive thoughts and memories, and significant behavioral changes. Individuals can develop PTSD as a result of a single traumatic event or repeated events. People with PTSD may also experience feelings of intense distress when triggered by certain stimuli, potentially leading to panic attacks. Physical symptoms—such as difficulty with sleep, increased heart rate, and other stress-related responses—are common as well.

Post-traumatic stress disorder can be a chronic and severe mental health disorder. Examples of sudden and unexpected events that can cause  PTSD are natural disasters, wars, sexual assault or abuse, emotional abuse, the death of a loved one, or witnessing someone else experience trauma.

Someone with PTSD may experience the physical and emotional effects of a traumatic event as if these events are still happening. PTSD can cause ongoing episodes in the form of nightmares, flashbacks, dissociative episodes, and extreme anxiety. When comparing acute stress disorder and PTSD, the main difference between these two anxiety-related disorders is that post-traumatic stress disorder is a chronic mental health condition that can potentially last a lifetime. Acute stress disorder is normally limited to one episode and doesn't have any lasting or chronic effects.

PTSD symptoms affect different people in different ways depending on who they are, what traumatic events they've been through, and how they are approaching treatment. With treatment from mental health professionals, most people with PTSD  learn to manage their symptoms, continue the journey of healing, and live fulfilling lives. For others, PTSD does go away, but there's no easy answer as to when. Professional treatment takes time. 

What causes PTSD?

Unlike anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder isn’t linked to any chemical imbalances in the brain. Instead, PTSD occurs as a result of trauma.  It used to be believed that only combat veterans could experience PTSD. While many combat veterans do get PTSD, we now know that people can develop this condition as a result of other life events too. Some examples include violent crime, abusive relationships, and even serious traffic collisions.

The effects of PTSD

PTSD can cause disturbing re-experiencing symptoms, including flashbacks and nightmares, along with severe anxiety. As a result, people living with PTSD may have difficulty meeting their commitments and maintaining healthy relationships. Avoidance is common in individuals with PTSD. This can cause many people to isolate, which may worsen mental health concerns. The mental, physical, and emotional challenges of PTSD can also lead to thoughts of suicide. 

PTSD can lead some individuals to self-medicate. For example, some people with PTSD may use substances as a coping mechanism for feelings of anxiety. However, this can exacerbate the incidence and severity of PTSD symptoms over the long term. 

How is PTSD treated?

Depending on symptom severity and individual circumstances, PTSD treatment usually includes some form of talk therapy, sometimes in combination with medication. The medications used for PTSD are generally similar to those used to treat anxiety and depression. Depending on the nature and severity of the condition and the preferences of the patient, they may get a prescription for "rescue medication" that can be taken in response to symptoms like panic attacks instead of being taken regularly. Talk to your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

The goal of psychotherapy or talk therapy for PTSD—at least initially—is less about “curing” PTSD and more about managing its symptoms. The therapist or counselor may begin by identifying symptoms like anxiety attacks or depressive episodes. Then, they may focus on teaching the individual how to manage these symptoms using certain coping strategies. A common treatment to help heal trauma is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Behavioral therapy, which is common for many anxiety and mood disorders, is another common method for facilitating recovery from trauma. 

Some people with PTSD may choose group therapy as opposed to individual counseling. This can be a helpful way for the person to come to terms with their mental health disorder as well as to learn practical coping and recovery methods from other people with the same condition. Or, some people may "graduate" from one-on-one counseling to group therapy as they learn to better manage their symptoms. Group therapy is sometimes free through community groups and other organizations, and it can also be provided through clinics and hospitals.

Does PTSD go away?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, PTSD involves the presence of concerning thoughts and emotions that persist “long after” the traumatic event has ended. But how long, exactly, do they last—and do the intrusive thoughts and distressing feelings eventually go away?

Whether PTSD will go away—and if so, when—depends on several factors, including the severity of symptoms, an individual’s lifestyle and personal history, and the existence of any comorbid mental health concerns. A primary consideration when it comes to the duration of symptoms is whether the individual seeks treatment. The National Institute of Mental Health confirms that recovery times vary: “Some people recover within 6 months, while others have symptoms that last for 1 year or longer”.

Recovery time may also depend on the nature of the trauma that brought on their PTSD. People who experienced traumatic events such as traffic collisions may develop symptoms similar to phobias and be treated through exposure therapy or similar methods. These individuals may be able to overcome their most severe symptoms fairly quickly, partially because they are likely exposed to their triggers regularly just by going about their usual routines. 

People who have survived ongoing abuse or combat often have different symptoms and recovery rates. They may develop symptoms similar to anxiety and depression, for example. It could take months or years of treatment before the worst of their symptoms go away or they learn to manage them effectively. Some also believe that PTSD doesn't "go away" so much as go "into remission". For some people, PTSD can also recur months or years after entering remission, particularly if treatment is not ongoing.

Another reason that it can be difficult to tell whether PTSD is gone completely is that sometimes symptoms from trauma can go away for extended periods before returning—sometimes because of a triggering event and sometimes seemingly out of nowhere. As a result, it can be important for people who have or have had PTSD to be open about it with people close to them and with their healthcare team. 

Finding care for PTSD

PTSD symptoms can sometimes present a barrier to traditional therapy in the form of in-person counseling. Those with the condition may fear going out in public and encountering a trigger, for instance, so they may feel more comfortable receiving mental health services remotely. 

Research suggests that online therapy can be an effective treatment modality for post-traumatic stress disorder. In a recent meta-analysis of studies, researchers indicate that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been associated with positive outcomes for individuals with PTSD. CBT is a widely utilized therapeutic modality focused on helping individuals reframe unhelpful thought processes, such as those that may be related to trauma. 

If you’d like to learn more about PTSD and receive the support and guidance of a professional, help is available. With online therapy through BetterHelp, you can participate in sessions remotely, which can be helpful if you’re not comfortable discussing topics like trauma in person. Online therapy is also a more affordable option than many in-person therapy providers: BetterHelp starts at $65 to $100 per week (based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply), and you can cancel any time.