PTSD
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What you will find on this page
What is PTSD
Some causes of PTSD
The signs and symptoms of PTSD
Criteria for diagnosis of PTSD
PTSD treatments
Who else can help
What is PTSD
Post traumatic stress disorder is caused by very stressful, disturbing or traumatic events such as being involved in a car crash, witnessing a violent attack or have been threatened with death, sexual violence or serious injury.
PTSD is categorised as an anxiety disorder and people often recall the traumatic incident through nightmares and flashbacks.
PTSD can significantly affect a person's day to day life by making it very difficult to cope. It's estimated that PTSD affects 1 in every 3 people who have experienced a trauma related event.
Causes of PTSD
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Serious road traffic accidents
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Persistent physical, sexual or emotional abuse
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Military combat
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Terrorist attacks
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A traumatic birth
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Being kidnapped or held hostage
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Being raped, mugged or robbed
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Witnessing someone being seriously hurt or killed
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Losing someone very close to you
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Being diagnosed with a life threatening condition
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Being involved in a serious natural disaster
The signs and symptoms
Re-experiencing: The most common symptom of PTSD. This is where the individual involuntarily relives the traumatic event in the form of flashbacks nightmares,repetitive and distressing images or sensations and physical sensations, such as pain and feeling sick
Avoidance: The person constantly tries to avoid being reminded of the event.This usually results in avoiding certain people or evading places that remind them of the trauma.This can lead to the person isolating themselves from society and giving up activities they used to enjoy.
Emotional numbing: Blocking out the traumatic memories completely
Hyperarousal: Feeling very anxious and constantly alert to potential threats.
This may also be described as feeling `on edge` and often leads to irritability, outbursts of anger, difficulties sleeping and problems concentrating.
Other possible effects:
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Drug and alcohol misuse
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Self harming
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Aggressive behaviour
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Headaches and dizziness
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Chest pain and stomach aches
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Feelings of hopelessness
Criteria for diagnosis of PTSD
To meet the criteria for PTSD, symptoms must last longer than 1 month, and they must be severe enough to interfere with aspects of daily life, such as relationships or work.
Criterion A: stressor A person has been exposed to: death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence.
Criterion B: intrusion symptoms The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced
Criterion C: avoidance Frequent avoidance of reminders associated with the traumatic event.
Criterion D: negative alterations in cognitions and mood Negative changes in thoughts and mood that occurred or worsened following the experience of the traumatic event:
Criterion E: alterations in arousal and reactivity Changes in arousal that started or worsened following the experience or of a traumatic event:
Criterion F: duration Continuation of symptoms (in Criteria B, C, D and E) for more than one month.
Criterion G: functional significance Significant symptom-related distress or impairment
Criterion H: attribution Symptoms is not due to medication, substance misuse, or other illness.
The treatments available to help someone with PTSD
Watchful waiting
For mild symptoms of PTSD (or if you or someone you know has been experiencing symptoms for less than 4 weeks), `watchful waiting` may be recommended. This involves monitoring symptoms to see if they improve or get worse. A follow up appointment usually takes place within one month of the initial appointment.
Trauma based CBT
Uses a range of psychological techniques to help you come to terms with the traumatic experience. The therapist may ask you to confront your traumatic memories by thinking about the experience in detail. The therapist will try to help you gain control of your fear by changing the negative way you think about the experience. Trauma based CBT usually consists of 8-12 weekly one to one sessions.
Antidepressants
Medication that can treat the symptoms of PTSD (namely, paroxetine and sertraline) Medication will often be provided in conjunction with talking therapies.
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
A treatment designed to reduce undesirable thoughts and feelings associated with traumatic memories or events. The treatment involves the person making side-to-side movements, usually by following the motion of the therapist's finger, while recalling the traumatic incident. Other methods may include the therapist tapping their finger or playing a tone.
Who else can help
Safer landings CIC
Contact us
Assist trauma care
Information and specialist help for people with PTSD and anyone supporting them
Combat stress
Treatment and support for British Armed Forces veterans who have mental health problems
Disaster action
Information and support for people affected by major disasters in the UK and overseas
NHS choices
Provides a wealth of information on treatments for PTSD available through the NHS
Rape Crisis
Providing a range of services for women and girls who have experienced abuse,domestic violence and sexual assault
Victim support
Providing support and information to victims or witnesses of crime.
Remember we are always here to help,
