What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder – causes, symptoms and treatment.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological reaction that can occur after a traumatic event. These can range from accidents and abuse to war or difficult childbirth. Experiencing intense fear, helplessness or a sense of mortal danger can affect the way the brain and body react, even long after the event has occurred.

Many people with PTSD struggle with intrusive memories, avoidance behaviours and altered emotional responses. Fortunately, there are effective treatments that can help you process the trauma and regain control of your life.

What causes PTSD?

PTSD develops when the brain fails to process a traumatic event in a healthy way. Common triggers include:

• Domestic violence
• Sexual abuse
• Accidents or difficult births
• War and conflict
• Medical trauma, such as intensive care
• Long-term bullying or victimisation

PTSD can also affect people who have witnessed a frightening event or who have a loved one who has experienced trauma. It can take days, weeks or months for symptoms to appear, sometimes making it difficult to understand the connection between the trauma and the emotional reactions.

Symptoms of PTSD.

PTSD affects both mental and physical well-being. Symptoms are often divided into four categories:

1. Reliving the trauma.

• Flashbacks where the event is replayed over and over again.
• Unexpected intrusive memories and nightmares.
• Strong emotional and physical reactions to reminders, such as palpitations and anxiety.

2. Avoidance behaviour.

• Deliberately avoiding places, people or situations that remind you of the trauma.
• Emotional closure – avoiding talking about what happened.
• Reduced ability to feel joy or engagement in everyday life.

3. Negative changes in thought patterns and emotions.

• Feelings of guilt or shame linked to the trauma.
• Anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.
• Difficulties in trusting others or forming close relationships.

4. Excessive vigilance and stress reactions.

• Constant feeling of being on edge.
• Sleep problems and difficulty concentrating.
• Irritation, anger or destructive behaviours such as risky decisions.

How is PTSD treated?

There are several effective treatments for PTSD. Getting the right help can make a big difference and help you process the trauma in a healthy way.

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): One of the most proven methods for PTSD treatment. CBT helps identify and change destructive thought patterns linked to trauma. Common CBT types include:
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helps accept what happened and manage difficult emotions.
• Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT): Builds self-compassion and addresses shame or self-criticism.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is an evidence-based method using guided eye movements to help “reprogram” traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact.
• Psychodynamic therapy (PDT): PDT is effective especially for repeated or early-life trauma, helping understand emotional patterns and improve relationships and self-esteem.

What can you do yourself?

Besides professional help, there are everyday strategies to manage PTSD symptoms:

1. Grounding techniques: Focus on the present to reduce intrusive memories. For example, identify five things you see, four you can touch, three you hear, two you smell, and one you taste.
2. Meditation and mindfulness: Breathing exercises and mindfulness can reduce stress and anxiety. Try slow, deep breaths while counting to five.
3. Talk about your feelings: Writing a journal or sharing with a trusted person can ease loneliness and aid healing.
4. Lifestyle changes: Prioritize regular sleep, healthy nutrition, and limit caffeine and alcohol, as these can worsen symptoms.

When should you seek help?

If PTSD symptoms interfere with your daily life, relationships, or ability to enjoy life, it’s important to seek professional support. A licensed therapist can guide you with strategies to manage PTSD and regain control.

Therapy test – find out if therapy is right for you.

Not sure if therapy suits you? Taking the first step can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never tried it before. Our therapy test helps you understand if therapy can support you.

By answering a few simple questions, you’ll get an initial sense of whether therapy can help you process emotions, face challenges, and feel better. The test takes only a few minutes but can be an important first step.

Take the therapy test now.