Post traumatic stress

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder which can occur following an experience of a traumatic event, particularly if there was a risk to life or personal safety. The types of experiences that cause PTSD include:

  • Serious road accidents
  • Violent personal assaults, such as sexual assault, mugging or robbery
  • Prolonged sexual abuse, violence or severe neglect
  • Witnessing violent deaths
  • Military combat
  • Terrorist attacks
  • Natural disasters, such as severe floods or earthquakes

Symptoms can appear soon after the event, or weeks, months, or even years, afterwards.

Do you recognise these common signs of post traumatic stress?

What you feel:

  • Anxiety, worry, fear
  • Sense of dread
  • Tension, stress, unsettled
  • Unreal, strange, detachment, panic
  • Depression, low mood, regret, shame
  • Anger, bitterness

What you think:

  • Memories or vivid flashbacks that make you feel that you are re-experiencing the traumatic situation again
  • Nightmares about the traumatic situation, or similar scenarios

What happens to your body:

  • Heart racing and pounding
  • Chest feels tight or painful
  • Tense or stiff muscles
  • Startle response to loud noises, if this relates to the traumatic event

What you do:

  • Avoid situations that trigger feelings of anxiety and fear
  • Avoid other people that may ask questions about the event

The more symptoms you recognise, the more likely you are to be experiencing PTSD which is having an effect on your life.

If you would like support to manage your stress differently and you are ready to make changes to improve your wellbeing, then we may be able to help:

You can also find more information on NHS Choices and in Our useful resources and links.