Trauma affects even the most resilient among us and can include anything from isolated incidents, such as surviving an active shooter in a public location or narcissistic abuse in an intimate relationship, to severe and prolonged abuse or neglect occurring in childhood. Statistics suggest a lifetime estimate of approximately 6.8% for PTSD diagnosis, which is a small portion relative to those who experience trauma. Thus, on average, approximately 7 out of 100 people will go on to develop symptoms associated with PTSD after experiencing a significant traumatic event, with an average estimate of 7.5 million to 8 million people per year developing the disorder.

The effects of post-traumatic stress can be lifelong, chronic, and highly variable. Children who are abused may develop symptoms of PTSD, compromising their ability to function as independent adults; others may not develop any symptoms or milder symptoms. Issues with self-worth, self-love, feelings of uselessness, and suicidal ideation are commonly reported in those with PTSD. Those who experience abuse in childhood are more susceptible to being re-traumatized later in life with unhealthy adult relationships. PTSD often includes both short-term effects immediately following a traumatic event and more chronic, long-term effects.

Whether someone will go on to develop PTSD following trauma is influenced by many factors, which may include: individual resiliency, personality, prior history of trauma, intensity of the trauma (i.e. a one-time isolated event versus chronic or long-term abuse), duration of the traumatic event(s), availability of an emotional support system, and other factors such as environmental contingencies (drugs/alcohol, unstable or unsafe living conditions).