Who Develops PTSD?
People of any age — kids, teens, and adults — can develop PTSD. But not everyone who experiences a serious trauma develops it. In fact, most people do not. Many recover from life-threatening traumas (after a normal reaction to the stressful event and the right support) without having a lasting problem. This ability to cope and bounce back is called resilience. What makes some people more resilient to extremely stressful events when others have trouble coping? Researchers have found that certain things can help someone to be more resilient and recover faster from trauma. Everything from someone’s belief in his or her ability to overcome problems to the types of hormones a person’s body produces may play a role in resilience to stress. It is also really helpful to have friends, family, or a counselor to talk to. Support groups also are good places to vent about thoughts and feelings. The intensity or circumstances of a trauma can influence a person’s vulnerability to PTSD, too. National
