The Connection Between Asthma and PTSD

The Connection Between Asthma and PTSD PTSD Related Conditions Print The Connection Between Asthma and PTSD By Matthew Tull, PhD twitter Matthew Tull, PhD is a professor of psychology at the University of Toledo, specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder. Learn about our editorial policy Matthew Tull, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on June 24, 2019 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes & Risk Factors Treatment Living With In Children PhotoAlto/James Hardy/Getty Images Asthma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are often linked. There are a number of different types of traumatic events that can lead to the development of PTSD, and one such type is the experience of a life-threatening illness, such as asthma. Asthma is very common in the general population, and because of this, many people might think that asthma really isnt life-threatening.  However, asthma is one of the most common childhood chronic illnesses, and it can have a tremendous negative impact on a childs life and may even result in death. In fact, asthma accounts for one-fourth of all emergency room visits in the United States per year and is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization for children. There are more than 4,000 deaths each year that can be attributed to asthma, and asthma can be considered a contributing factor for an additional 7,000 deaths per year.? Asthma attacks definitely meet criteria for a traumatic event according to the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. First, asthma attacks may be life-threatening or cause physical harm. In addition, the unexpected nature of an asthma attack, as well as the physical symptoms that accompany an asthma attack, may bring about feelings of fear, helpless, and horror. Given this, asthma can definitely be considered a potentially life-threatening illness that could lead to the development of PTSD symptoms. Asthma and PTSD Symptoms Researchers found that adolescents who had a life-threatening asthma episode were more than twice as likely to meet criteria for PTSD as compared to adolescents without asthma. In a study, 20 percent of adolescents who had a life-threatening asthma episode was experiencing PTSD symptoms at a high enough level that they could be diagnosed with PTSD. The parents of adolescents who had a life-threatening asthma episode were also showing signs of PTSD. Almost 30 percent of the parents of adolescents who had a life-threatening asthma episode met criteria for PTSD due to the asthma episode compared to only 2 percent of parents of adolescents without asthma. Understanding Your Risk for PTSD The high rates of PTSD symptoms found among adolescents and parents of adolescents with a life-threatening asthma episode are alarming. Study findings suggest the importance of teaching families to be aware of the potential psychological effect of experiencing a life-threatening asthma attack. This is particularly important when you consider that the experience of anxiety and stress that occur in PTSD may exacerbate chronic illnesses such as asthma.