Unfortunately, once you develop post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it lasts a long time, and may even last a lifetime (Olszewski and Varrasse, 2005). Also, of those who develop PTSD, more than one-third fail to recover even after several years. PTSD is often diagnosed with other psychiatric illnesses (Kessler et al., 1995).
On the bright side, if you are active in getting help and treatment for PTSD, then you have a better chance of eradicating PTSD. With treatment, even if you don't have complete recovery from PTSD, you will at least develop coping skills and tools so that the symptoms are more manageable, and not overwhelming or out of control. Please visit the rest of AnxietyBoss.com for more information andd help on PTSD.
References:
The neurobiology of PTSD: implications for nurses. Olszewski TM, Varrasse JF. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2005 Jun;43(6):40-7.
Posttraumatic stress disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey. Kessler RC, Sonnega A, Bromet E, Hughes M, Nelson CB. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1995 Dec;52(12):1048-60.
