Last updated: Mon, Jul 3, 2017
Post-traumatic stress disorder is surprisingly common. It has been estimated to affect 8% of those in the population at some time in their lives. Among chronic pain patients the prevalence of PTSD has been estimated to range from 7 to as much as 39%, so it appears to be more prevalent among pain patients.1 Some studies have suggested that from half to all patients treated at pain centers may meet the criteria for PTSD.2 As many as 80% of Vietnam vets with PTSD have chronic pain.3
The high prevalence of putative PTSD in chronic pain patients doesn't seem to have a clear explanation. As with depression, there is some overlap between chronic pain symptoms and PTSD symptoms. The occurrence of PTSD symptoms in chronic pain patients is associated with increased depression and pain, and with worse sleep.