Which statement best describes the relationship between trauma exposure and PTSD development?

• A. PTSD always develops after trauma
• B. PTSD never develops after trauma
• C. PTSD can occur after trauma but not everyone develops it
• D. PTSD only occurs in certain occupations

Answer: (C)

Trauma exposure increases the risk of PTSD but does not guarantee it. In other words, experiencing a traumatic event can lead to PTSD, but many people who experience trauma do not develop the disorder. The relationship is not deterministic: some individuals develop a cluster of symptoms—intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood and cognition, and hyperarousal—that persist for more than a month and cause significant distress or impairment, while others recover without meeting full criteria or have only subthreshold symptoms.

Several factors influence whether PTSD develops, including the severity and duration of the trauma, how directly a person was affected, prior trauma history, genetics and temperament, the level of social support, coping strategies, and access to timely mental health care. So the best way to state the relationship is that PTSD can occur after trauma, but not everyone exposed to trauma will develop it.

Options claiming PTSD always develops after trauma or never develops after trauma are inaccurate, and the idea that PTSD only occurs in certain occupations ignores the wide range of people who can be affected after traumatic exposure.