In any given year, about 5% of Americans are living with PTSD. This condition can be debilitating. In severe cases, it can become impossible for someone to go about their everyday life.

If you or someone you love is among those affected, you may well wonder “Does PTSD go away with time?” And in the interim, what are the support options for someone living with the condition?

To answer those questions, let’s take a look at PTSD, the prognosis for those living with it, and workman’s comp options for individuals who developed PTSD in the course of their job.

What Is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a traumatic event. It’s normal to experience anxiety, fear, or distress after such an incident. But with PTSD, these symptoms persist for far longer than normal, sometimes for months or even years.

We often think of PTSD regarding veterans who served in active combat. However, they are far from the only people susceptible. PTSD causes can include any dangerous, distressing, or otherwise traumatizing event.

A civilian working as a defense contractor on a military base may experience events or conditions that cause PTSD. Someone who witnesses or experiences an accident on the job may also be susceptible.

The truth is that PTSD doesn’t discriminate. Anyone who suffers a traumatic incident is vulnerable.

Does PTSD Go Away?

The severity and duration of PTSD symptoms will vary from one person to another.

Some may experience relatively mild and short-lived symptoms. Others may battle severe symptoms that persist for years. In any event, the good news is that overcoming PTSD is almost always possible.

Treatment usually focuses on therapy, with medication sometimes prescribed to help manage symptoms. This treatment can include one-on-one talk therapy or group therapy. The latter can prove particularly helpful as it helps normalize a person’s feelings and can show them that they’re not alone in their struggle.

With appropriate support, understanding, and professional help, individuals with PTSD can learn effective coping strategies, reduce symptom severity, and improve their overall well-being.

What Are Your Workers’ Comp Options?

If you develop PTSD as a result of a workplace incident or other conditions, you may be entitled to workman’s comp. However, the benefits available can vary depending on what state you were employed in.

In California, for example, “mental-only” injuries like PTSD are generally covered. This means you should have little trouble getting compensation even if you suffered no physical injury in the incident. The exact opposite is true in a state like Georgia where mental-only injuries are not covered at all.

If your incident occurred on a military base, you may still have options. Under the Defense Base Act, civilian contractors and employees may be entitled to compensation if they develop PTSD while working on an overseas defense base.

Get Legal Help for Your Case

If you needed to know “Does PTSD go away?” then the good news is that the condition is manageable. Many people make full recoveries with proper treatment and support.

Unfortunately, PTSD can make it difficult for someone to carry out basic life tasks, which makes it harder to access care. That’s why resources like workman’s comp are so important. They help a person support themselves on their recovery journey.

An experienced lawyer from Barnes Law Firm can help you get the care and compensation that you deserve. Send us a message today to learn more.