Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events.
How to tell if you have Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt.W
They may also have problems sleeping, such as insomnia, and find concentrating difficult.
These symptoms are often severe and persistent enough to have a significant impact on the person's day-to-day life and can vary widely between individuals, but generally fall into the categories described below.
Re-experiencing
Re-experiencing is the most typical symptom of PTSD.
This is when a person involuntarily and vividly relives the traumatic event in the form of:
- flashbacks
- nightmares
- repetitive and distressing images or sensations
- physical sensations, such as pain, sweating, feeling sick or trembling
Avoidance and emotional numbing
Trying to avoid being reminded of the traumatic event is another key symptom of PTSD.
This usually means avoiding certain people or places that remind you of the trauma, or avoiding talking to anyone about your experience.
Many people with PTSD try to push memories of the event out of their mind, often distracting themselves with work or hobbies.
Hyperarousal (feeling "on edge")
Someone with PTSD may be very anxious and find it difficult to relax. They may be constantly aware of threats and easily startled.
This state of mind is known as hyperarousal.
Hyperarousal often leads to:
- irritability
- angry outbursts
- sleeping problems (insomnia)
- difficulty concentrating
What causes Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after a very stressful, frightening or distressing event, or after a prolonged traumatic experience.
Types of events that can lead to PTSD include:
- serious accidents
- physical or sexual assault
- abuse, including childhood or domestic abuse
- exposure to traumatic events at work, including remote exposure
- serious health problems, such as being admitted to intensive care
- childbirth experiences, such as losing a baby
- the death of someone close to you
- war and conflict
- torture
PTSD develops in about 1 in 3 people who experience severe trauma.
It's not fully understood why some people develop the condition while others do not.
But certain factors appear to make some people more likely to develop PTSD.
Treating Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
The main treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are talking therapies and medicine.
Traumatic events can be very difficult to come to terms with, but confronting your feelings and getting professional help is often the only way of effectively treating PTSD.
It's possible for PTSD to be successfully treated many years after the traumatic event or events occurred, which means it's never too late to get help.
Please get in touch with us by clicking on the Self Refer button at the top of the website to discuss your options