A condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing deeply traumatic events. It is treatable with specialist care.
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WHAT IS IT?

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop in the aftermath of a traumatic event, one in which a person experienced or witnessed actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. Common examples include accidents, assault, war, childhood abuse, medical emergencies, and sudden bereavement. But what matters is not the nature of the event itself but its impact on you.

PTSD involves the brain becoming stuck in a state of threat, unable to process and file the traumatic memory in the way it would a normal experience. This is why people with PTSD can feel as though they are reliving the trauma in the present, rather than simply remembering it in the past. It is a neurological response, not a sign of weakness.

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WHAT MIGHT YOU NOTICE?

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PTSD typically involves four main clusters of symptoms. Re-experiencing symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive memories that arise without warning and feel intensely real. Avoidance involves staying away from reminders of the trauma, which offers short-term relief but prevents recovery.

Negative changes in thinking and mood can include persistent guilt, shame, emotional numbness, and a loss of interest in life. Finally, hyperarousal, being constantly on guard can manifest as irritability, difficulty sleeping, and an exaggerated startle response.

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Common symptoms include:

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Flashbacks and vivid intrusive memories
Nightmares related to the trauma
Severe distress when reminded of the event
Avoidance of reminders (people, places, thoughts)
Emotional numbness and detachment
Hypervigilance and constantly feeling on alert
Exaggerated startle response
Persistent guilt, shame or self-blame
Disturbed sleep
Feeling detached from others

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WHICH TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILIBLE?​

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PTSD responds well to specialist psychological treatment, and many people experience a profound reduction in symptoms with the right therapy. It is important not to suffer in silence, the longer PTSD goes untreated, the more entrenched symptoms can become. Early intervention produces the best outcomes.

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Trauma-Focused CBT:  A structured therapy that helps you to process the traumatic memory in a safe and controlled way, reducing its emotional charge and integrating it into your life story.

EMDR Therapy:  Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing is a highly effective, NICE-recommended treatment for PTSD that uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain process traumatic memories.

Medication:  SSRIs such as sertraline and paroxetine are first-line medications for PTSD and can reduce symptoms significantly, often used in conjunction with therapy.

Stabilisation First:  For those with complex or severe trauma, we begin with stabilisation, building coping skills and a sense of safety, before proceeding to trauma-focused work.