Study: PTSD can lead to increased risk of disease

By Staff Writer

Adults who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to childhood abuse may age at an accelerated rate, a new study reveals.

The report, which was conducted by researchers from the University of California-San Francisco, appears in the online edition of the journal Biological Psychiatry. The findings are based on a study of 43 adults who had PTSD and 47 participants without the condition. They had an average age of 30 years old.

Researchers found that adults who had PTSD had significantly shorter telomeres, which are DNA-protein complexes that protect chromosomes from damage and mutations. This is considered accelerated aging because of the increased risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease as well as early death.

Furthermore, participants who had PTSD because of severe childhood trauma were the most likely to have shortened telomeres. This type of suffering stemmed from a variety of events, including neglect, family violence, physical abuse and sexual abuse.

According to the study's authors, these findings indicate that by treating PTSD, clinicians may be able to slow or postpone the risk for certain diseases.

Adolescents who suffer from emotional disorders may benefit from summer camps, many of which provide activities that help teens overcome their hardships.