A new study shows a rise in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among American college students. PTSD rates increased by 4.1 percentage points, jumping from 3.4 percent in 2017-2018 to 7.5 percent in 2021-2022.
Trauma Grips US Colleges
In the analysis, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the team examined student populations from a diverse array of 332 higher education institutions across the U.S., encompassing a broad geographic range and various institutional types. Their extensive survey captured data from nearly 400,000 college students, with females comprising a slight majority at 57.7 percent.
Over the five-year period from 2017 to 2022, the researchers also observed an increase in the prevalence of acute stress disorder (ASD) among college students. ASD prevalence rose by 0.5 percentage points, growing from 0.2 percent to 0.7 percent over the same timeframe.
Even after accounting for demographic differences among participants, statistical analysis confirmed these upward trends remained statistically significant.
“These trends highlight the escalating mental health challenges among college students, which is consistent with recent research reporting a surge in psychiatric diagnoses,” the authors wrote.
The authors warned that “PTSD and ASD can severely impair college students’ academic and social functioning.” These conditions can have far-reaching negative impacts that extend well beyond the college years. They have been linked to persistent, long-term health problems.
The wide-ranging societal repercussions of PTSD and acute stress disorder include diminished productivity in the workforce and escalating financial strains on health care systems and the broader economy, according to the study.
1 in 16 Americans Grapple with PTSD in Their Lifetime
Approximately 6 percent of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lifetime, according to the National Center for PTSD. In 2020 alone, around 13 million Americans grappled with this disorder. Women are more susceptible, with an 8 percent likelihood of developing PTSD compared to 4 percent for men. Veterans face an even higher risk due to the traumatic nature of wartime experiences, which are a common trigger for PTSD.
Finding Relief
While symptoms of PTSD can occasionally subside on their own, more frequently, people require professional treatment to overcome the psychological distress caused by this disorder.
Professional treatment typically involves working with a psychiatrist or other mental health professional who can provide medication management or talk therapy approaches.
Complementary options like acupuncture, yoga, and animal-assisted therapies may also be beneficial.
In addition to counseling, many find it therapeutic to share their experiences and perspectives in a peer support group setting with others suffering from PTSD.