Understanding
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
PTSD develops following traumatic experiences, causing intrusive memories, avoidance behaviours, and heightened anxiety that significantly impact daily life and relationships.
Understanding
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
PTSD develops following traumatic experiences, causing intrusive memories, avoidance behaviours, and heightened anxiety that significantly impact daily life and relationships.
Understanding
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
PTSD develops following traumatic experiences, causing intrusive memories, avoidance behaviours, and heightened anxiety that significantly impact daily life and relationships.
What does PTSD feel like?
Living with PTSD means experiencing the trauma repeatedly through intrusive flashbacks, nightmares, and overwhelming emotional reactions that make the past feel present and dangerous. The mind becomes hypervigilant, constantly scanning for threats, whilst simultaneously trying to avoid anything that might trigger traumatic memories. This creates an exhausting cycle of being both on high alert and emotionally numb, often leaving individuals feeling disconnected from themselves and others.
The experience involves feeling unsafe in your own mind and body, with normal situations potentially triggering intense fear responses that feel completely out of proportion to the current reality. Many people describe feeling like they're living in survival mode, unable to fully relax or trust that they're truly safe, even in secure environments.
Common Symptoms
Intrusive flashbacks and nightmares
Severe anxiety and panic responses
Avoidance of trauma-related triggers
Emotional numbness and detachment
Hypervigilance and being easily startled
Sleep disturbances and concentration problems
Irritability and angry outbursts
Feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame
What does PTSD feel like?
Living with PTSD means experiencing the trauma repeatedly through intrusive flashbacks, nightmares, and overwhelming emotional reactions that make the past feel present and dangerous. The mind becomes hypervigilant, constantly scanning for threats, whilst simultaneously trying to avoid anything that might trigger traumatic memories. This creates an exhausting cycle of being both on high alert and emotionally numb, often leaving individuals feeling disconnected from themselves and others.
The experience involves feeling unsafe in your own mind and body, with normal situations potentially triggering intense fear responses that feel completely out of proportion to the current reality. Many people describe feeling like they're living in survival mode, unable to fully relax or trust that they're truly safe, even in secure environments.
Common Symptoms
Intrusive flashbacks and nightmares
Severe anxiety and panic responses
Avoidance of trauma-related triggers
Emotional numbness and detachment
Hypervigilance and being easily startled
Sleep disturbances and concentration problems
Irritability and angry outbursts
Feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame
What does PTSD feel like?
Living with PTSD means experiencing the trauma repeatedly through intrusive flashbacks, nightmares, and overwhelming emotional reactions that make the past feel present and dangerous. The mind becomes hypervigilant, constantly scanning for threats, whilst simultaneously trying to avoid anything that might trigger traumatic memories. This creates an exhausting cycle of being both on high alert and emotionally numb, often leaving individuals feeling disconnected from themselves and others.
The experience involves feeling unsafe in your own mind and body, with normal situations potentially triggering intense fear responses that feel completely out of proportion to the current reality. Many people describe feeling like they're living in survival mode, unable to fully relax or trust that they're truly safe, even in secure environments.
Common Symptoms
Intrusive flashbacks and nightmares
Severe anxiety and panic responses
Avoidance of trauma-related triggers
Emotional numbness and detachment
Hypervigilance and being easily startled
Sleep disturbances and concentration problems
Irritability and angry outbursts
Feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame
History of PTSD
From shell shock to modern trauma-informed understanding and treatment
1860s
"Soldier's Heart" was documented during the American Civil War, describing persistent psychological symptoms in veterans, though understanding was limited to physical explanations of cardiac strain.
World War I
"Shell shock" became widely recognised, with physicians noting that psychological trauma could occur without physical injury, challenging previous beliefs about combat-related mental health conditions.
1980
PTSD was first officially included in the DSM-III following advocacy by Vietnam War veterans, establishing trauma as a legitimate cause of long-term psychological distress requiring professional treatment.
Present
PTSD is understood to affect 3-4% of adults annually, with evidence-based treatments like EMDR and trauma-focused CBT providing effective recovery pathways for trauma survivors worldwide.
History of PTSD
From shell shock to modern trauma-informed understanding and treatment
1860s
"Soldier's Heart" was documented during the American Civil War, describing persistent psychological symptoms in veterans, though understanding was limited to physical explanations of cardiac strain.
World War I
"Shell shock" became widely recognised, with physicians noting that psychological trauma could occur without physical injury, challenging previous beliefs about combat-related mental health conditions.
1980
PTSD was first officially included in the DSM-III following advocacy by Vietnam War veterans, establishing trauma as a legitimate cause of long-term psychological distress requiring professional treatment.
Present
PTSD is understood to affect 3-4% of adults annually, with evidence-based treatments like EMDR and trauma-focused CBT providing effective recovery pathways for trauma survivors worldwide.
History of PTSD
From shell shock to modern trauma-informed understanding and treatment
1860s
"Soldier's Heart" was documented during the American Civil War, describing persistent psychological symptoms in veterans, though understanding was limited to physical explanations of cardiac strain.
World War I
"Shell shock" became widely recognised, with physicians noting that psychological trauma could occur without physical injury, challenging previous beliefs about combat-related mental health conditions.
1980
PTSD was first officially included in the DSM-III following advocacy by Vietnam War veterans, establishing trauma as a legitimate cause of long-term psychological distress requiring professional treatment.
Present
PTSD is understood to affect 3-4% of adults annually, with evidence-based treatments like EMDR and trauma-focused CBT providing effective recovery pathways for trauma survivors worldwide.
Take our free self-test
Take our free self-test
Take a short self-test to see if counselling might make a difference.
Take a short self-test to see if counselling might make a difference.
Instructions
Answer based on the last 2 weeks. Choose the option that fits best. You’ll see your results at the end.
This short self-test screens for PTSD symptoms. It isn’t a diagnosis, but it can help you decide next steps.
How therapy can help
Therapy for PTSD uses specialised trauma-focused approaches like Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), and narrative exposure therapy to help process traumatic memories safely. These treatments help reduce the emotional charge of traumatic memories whilst developing healthy coping strategies and rebuilding a sense of safety and control. Therapists create supportive environments where individuals can gradually work through trauma at their own pace.
Modern trauma therapy recognises that healing involves both processing the past and building resilience for the future, helping individuals reclaim their sense of agency and develop post-traumatic growth. Many people find significant relief within months of beginning trauma-focused treatment.
Benefits of Therapy
Reduced flashbacks and nightmares
Decreased anxiety and hypervigilance
Improved sleep and concentration
Better emotional regulation
Increased sense of safety and control
Stronger relationships and social connection
Enhanced daily functioning and quality of life
Development of post-traumatic growth and resilience
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PTSD, trauma recovery, and effective treatment approaches
Can PTSD develop from any traumatic event?
How long after trauma does PTSD typically develop?
Is it possible to fully recover from PTSD?
Will talking about trauma in therapy make symptoms worse?
How therapy can help
Therapy for PTSD uses specialised trauma-focused approaches like Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), and narrative exposure therapy to help process traumatic memories safely. These treatments help reduce the emotional charge of traumatic memories whilst developing healthy coping strategies and rebuilding a sense of safety and control. Therapists create supportive environments where individuals can gradually work through trauma at their own pace.
Modern trauma therapy recognises that healing involves both processing the past and building resilience for the future, helping individuals reclaim their sense of agency and develop post-traumatic growth. Many people find significant relief within months of beginning trauma-focused treatment.
Benefits of Therapy
Reduced flashbacks and nightmares
Decreased anxiety and hypervigilance
Improved sleep and concentration
Better emotional regulation
Increased sense of safety and control
Stronger relationships and social connection
Enhanced daily functioning and quality of life
Development of post-traumatic growth and resilience
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PTSD, trauma recovery, and effective treatment approaches
Can PTSD develop from any traumatic event?
How long after trauma does PTSD typically develop?
Is it possible to fully recover from PTSD?
Will talking about trauma in therapy make symptoms worse?
How therapy can help
Therapy for PTSD uses specialised trauma-focused approaches like Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), and narrative exposure therapy to help process traumatic memories safely. These treatments help reduce the emotional charge of traumatic memories whilst developing healthy coping strategies and rebuilding a sense of safety and control. Therapists create supportive environments where individuals can gradually work through trauma at their own pace.
Modern trauma therapy recognises that healing involves both processing the past and building resilience for the future, helping individuals reclaim their sense of agency and develop post-traumatic growth. Many people find significant relief within months of beginning trauma-focused treatment.
Benefits of Therapy
Reduced flashbacks and nightmares
Decreased anxiety and hypervigilance
Improved sleep and concentration
Better emotional regulation
Increased sense of safety and control
Stronger relationships and social connection
Enhanced daily functioning and quality of life
Development of post-traumatic growth and resilience
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PTSD, trauma recovery, and effective treatment approaches
Can PTSD develop from any traumatic event?
How long after trauma does PTSD typically develop?
Is it possible to fully recover from PTSD?
Will talking about trauma in therapy make symptoms worse?
