The epidemiology of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder in the United States: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III.
To present current, nationally representative US findings on the past-year and lifetime prevalences, sociodemographic correlates, psychiatric comorbidity, associated disability, and treatment of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).



Face-to-face interviews with 36,309 adults in the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III. PTSD, alcohol and drug use disorders, and selected mood, anxiety, and personality disorders were assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-5.



Past-year and lifetime prevalences were 4.7 and 6.1 %, higher for female, white, Native American, younger, and previously married respondents, those with <high school education and lower incomes, and rural residents. PTSD was significantly associated with a broad range of substance use, mood, anxiety, and personality disorders, and past-month disability. Among respondents with lifetime PTSD, 59.4 % sought treatment; an average of 4.5 years elapsed from disorder onset to first treatment.



DSM-5 PTSD is prevalent, highly comorbid, disabling, and associated with delayed help seeking. Additional research is needed to elucidate relationships identified herein, estimate PTSD-related costs, investigate hypotheses regarding etiology, course, and treatment, and support decisions about resource allocation to service delivery and research. Initiatives are needed to destigmatize PTSD, educate the public about its treatment, and encourage affected individuals to seek help.
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5635 Fishers Ln., M.S. 9304, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA. goldster@mail.nih.gov.|Health Behavior Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6100 Executive Blvd., Room 7B13C, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA. goldster@mail.nih.gov.
Risë B
RB
Goldstein
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5635 Fishers Ln., M.S. 9304, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.|Translational Blood Science and Resources Branch, Division of Blood Diseases and Resources, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Dr., Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
Sharon M
SM
Smith
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5635 Fishers Ln., M.S. 9304, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
S Patricia
SP
Chou
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5635 Fishers Ln., M.S. 9304, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
Tulshi D
TD
Saha
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5635 Fishers Ln., M.S. 9304, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
Jeesun
J
Jung
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5635 Fishers Ln., M.S. 9304, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
Haitao
H
Zhang
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5635 Fishers Ln., M.S. 9304, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
Roger P
RP
Pickering
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5635 Fishers Ln., M.S. 9304, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
W June
WJ
Ruan
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5635 Fishers Ln., M.S. 9304, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
Boji
B
Huang
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5635 Fishers Ln., M.S. 9304, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
Bridget F
BF
Grant
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D061665:Time-to-Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
Comorbidity; Epidemiology; Posttraumatic stress disorder