There are multiple trajectories that Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Service Members, and Veterans (Service Members) can experience following exposure to a traumatic event that may or may not include physical injury.
Research shows that the majority of Service Members who are exposed to traumatic events during the course of duty do not go on to develop clinical symptoms that impair functioning; however, an estimated 10%-18% of Service Members and Veterans develop symptoms that impair functioning and are significant enough to result in a clinical diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Hoge et al., 20041; Vasterling et al., 2006; Hoge et al., 2007).
Of these individuals, some may experience symptoms that resolve on their own, some may respond well to treatment, and some may not respond well to treatment (medication and/or psychotherapies) (Friedman, Keane, and Resick, 2007).
There are also individuals who may be suffering from PTSD, but still functioning in their occupation or social/family life, albeit at an impaired level. While some of these individuals do not seek treatment, a number of them eventually will, but often only after the onset of frequently associated chronic comorbid symptoms such as depression, anger/aggression, relationship problems, and substance use/abuse.
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