PTSD Risk of Recurrence

**Posts:** 2 · by **AmaturePsych** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 8:55 am

Can anyone tell me what the potential risks are for recurrence of PTSD or the increased risk of other mental health issues in later life following ‘successful’ treatment of PTSD?

Can anyone recommend any papers, research or books etc. in this area.

Cheers

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 9:23 am

Hi AmaturePsych and welcome to UncommonForum!

If treatment of PTSD has been truly successful then there is no reason it should (or could) recurr without you being re-traumatised. Successful treatment is when the memory of the traumatic incident is processed 'normally' without triggering the fight or flight response. Once that is done, there is no way for it to go back without the brain 're-learning' to attach the traumatic response.

Roger

**Posts:** 2 · by **AmaturePsych** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 10:12 am

Thanks Roger

I agree with what you say but I have heard allot and also read that an episode of PTSD is a risk factor for further mental health problems in the future, that is what I am trying to get to the bottom of.

**Posts:** 80 · by **minstrel** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 5:14 am

AmaturePsych wrote:I have heard allot and also read that an episode of PTSD is a risk factor for further mental health problems in the future, that is what I am trying to get to the bottom of.

I don't know of any evidence that would suggest that developing post-traumatic stress syndrome in any way increases risk for other mental health problems. As for a recurrence of symptoms, as Roger said, if the issues and triggers are resolved in therapy there is no reason to worry about a future "episode" unless something new happens to retrigger you.

PTSD Risk of Recurrence

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