Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

What it is

A treatable mental health condition in which the effects of a traumatic event continue to disrupt life. It can affect anyone, including children.

When to seek urgent care

There is immediate danger from violence, a suicide plan, serious self-harm or inability to stay safe. Seek a safe place and emergency help. Stay with the person if it is safe to do so; do not put yourself in danger.

How it shows

Flashbacks or nightmares, avoiding reminders, feeling constantly threatened, sleep problems, guilt, irritability or emotional numbness. Symptoms can begin soon after trauma or emerge later.

What to do

Ask a health professional for an assessment and trauma-informed support. Explain how symptoms affect life without feeling obliged to share every detail immediately. Psychological treatment and practical support can help recovery.

Recognising trauma-related symptoms

PTSD can follow experiencing or witnessing serious danger, violence, sexual assault, conflict or an accident. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. Distress soon after an event is common; persistent symptoms that interfere with life deserve assessment.

Symptoms may include unwanted memories, nightmares or flashbacks; avoiding reminders; feeling constantly on guard; irritability; guilt or emotional numbness. Children may become unusually clingy, wet the bed again or act out events in play. Diagnosis is made by a trained professional, not a checklist alone.

Support and treatment

An experienced clinician can offer trauma-focused talking therapy, and sometimes medicine. Treatment should address current safety as well as symptoms. Do not force someone to describe their trauma or confront reminders outside an agreed treatment plan.

Predictable routines, sleep, gentle activity and trusted support can help. Ask what makes the person feel safer and offer to accompany them to an appointment. Avoid using alcohol or drugs to suppress memories. If the danger or abuse is ongoing, seek a safe place and appropriate local support; symptom treatment alone cannot remove that danger.

Sources

1. Post-traumatic stress disorder · National Institute of Mental Health · Public domain text; images excluded