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The epidemiology of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder in the United States: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology volume 51, pages 1137–1148 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives

To present current, nationally representative US findings on the past-year and lifetime prevalences, sociodemographic correlates, psychiatric comorbidity, associated disability, and treatment of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Methods

Face-to-face interviews with 36,309 adults in the 2012–2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III. PTSD, alcohol and drug use disorders, and selected mood, anxiety, and personality disorders were assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-5.

Results

Past-year and lifetime prevalences were 4.7 and 6.1 %, higher for female, white, Native American, younger, and previously married respondents, those with <high school education and lower incomes, and rural residents. PTSD was significantly associated with a broad range of substance use, mood, anxiety, and personality disorders, and past-month disability. Among respondents with lifetime PTSD, 59.4 % sought treatment; an average of 4.5 years elapsed from disorder onset to first treatment.

Conclusions

DSM-5 PTSD is prevalent, highly comorbid, disabling, and associated with delayed help seeking. Additional research is needed to elucidate relationships identified herein, estimate PTSD-related costs, investigate hypotheses regarding etiology, course, and treatment, and support decisions about resource allocation to service delivery and research. Initiatives are needed to destigmatize PTSD, educate the public about its treatment, and encourage affected individuals to seek help.

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Acknowledgments

The National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III) is funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) with supplemental support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This research was supported in part by the Intramural Program of the National Institutes of Health, NIAAA. All authors are employees of the National Institutes of Health.

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Author notes

  1. Risë B. Goldstein

    Present address: Health Behavior Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6100 Executive Blvd., Room 7B13C, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

  2. Sharon M. Smith

    Present address: Translational Blood Science and Resources Branch, Division of Blood Diseases and Resources, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Dr., Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5635 Fishers Ln., M.S. 9304, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

    Risë B. Goldstein, Sharon M. Smith, S. Patricia Chou, Tulshi D. Saha, Jeesun Jung, Haitao Zhang, Roger P. Pickering, W. June Ruan, Boji Huang & Bridget F. Grant

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Goldstein, R.B., Smith, S.M., Chou, S.P. et al. The epidemiology of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder in the United States: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 51, 1137–1148 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1208-5

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Keywords

  • Posttraumatic stress disorder
  • Epidemiology
  • Comorbidity