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Remission

What is remission in PTSD?

Remission is achieved when there are long-term improvements in PTSD symptoms, and subsequent improvements in overall functioning. While many people fully recover from PTSD over time, some do not, with symptoms continuing and fluctuating over time.

What is the evidence for remission in people with PTSD?

Moderate to high quality evidence found that around 44% of adults who were not receiving treatment remitted from PTSD within seven years post-trauma exposure. Remission rates were highest in the first five months after trauma exposure, and in adults exposed to natural disasters rather than those exposed to physical disease. After treatment with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), between 53% and 63% of adults achieved remission.

In children and adolescents not receiving a specific treatment, there was a 53% reduction in the rates of PTSD and a corresponding improvement in PTSD symptoms between one and six months post-trauma exposure, with little change in prevalence rates between six months and one year.

August 2021

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Last updated at: 4:21 am, 11th October 2021
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