Tomorrow CAN be a New Day

PTSD UK is the only charity in the UK dedicated to raising awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder – no matter the trauma that caused it.

Help us continue the work we do by donating today (thank you!)

What can cause PTSD?

PTSD can affect anyone who has been exposed to a traumatic event – an event which provoked fear, helplessness, or horror in response to the threat of injury or death and therefore can affect anyone.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD can cause a wide variety of physical, mental and emotional symptoms such as hypervigilance, irrational anger & fear, panic attacks, flashbacks, digestive issues, feeling numb, nightmares and exhaustion.

What are the treatments for PTSD?

It is possible for PTSD to be successfully treated with psychotherapies such has EMDR and CBT, even many years after the traumatic event occurred, which means it is never too late to seek help.

Are you looking to donate or fundraise for PTSD UK?

THANK YOU!! We are a small charity so our main goals at the moment are to increase awareness that we exist (so people can get the support and information they need) and to maximise fundraising to allow us to achieve our mission of supporting everyone in the UK affected by PTSD, no matter the trauma that caused it.

Do you need more information about PTSD?

Our website has lots of information about PTSD to arm you with the knowledge and details you need to understand the condition, be able to explain it to your friends and family better and, ultimately, to help guide you to the support and treatment you may need. Below are some direct links to some of the most common questions we are asked.

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Anyone exposed to trauma can develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and it can cause a wide variety of physical, mental and emotional symptoms – find out more about PTSD on this page here.

I think I might have PTSD, what should I do?

If you recognise some of the symptoms of PTSD in yourself, it’s really important to speak to someone if you feel you can. This might be a friend or loved one initially, but seeing a medical professional will also allow you to get a full diagnosis, understand your condition better, and most importantly, find out what treatment options are available for you. Find out more about what to do if you think you have PTSD on this page here.

I think my loved one has PTSD, what can I do?

If you think your partner may have PTSD, its important to let them know you care and are there to listen when they are ready to talk. The changes in you loved one, and the relationship you have, can understandably make you worried, and even perhaps angry, frustrated or hurt, so it’s important that you are patient with your loved one, and deal with this together – they may not have PTSD, but just need more time to process a trauma they went through. Find out more about how to help support your loved one here.

I've just been told I have PTSD, what can I do next?

If you have recently been told you have PTSD then you might feel worried or frightened by what this diagnosis means. Perhaps having a name for how you have been feeling up until now has given you some comfort. No matter how you feel, the biggest thing to know is that you aren’t alone. Find out more about the next steps you might want to take after your diagnosis here.

What treatments are available for PTSD in the UK?

It is possible for PTSD to be successfully treated many years after the traumatic event occurred, which means it is never too late to seek help. For some, the first step may be watchful waiting, then exploring therapeutic options such as individual or group therapy. NICE guidance recommends treatments such as EMDR, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Find out more about the treatment options for PTSD in the UK here.

What can I do to ease my PTSD symptoms?

There are several therapies, activities or practices which can be useful in easing and reducing PTSD symptoms, you can find out about some of these here. Our PTSD UK blog is also full of suggestions which many people find that useful to alleviate the symptoms of PTSD, particularly anxiety related ones. You can also read about some practical tips to help with PTSD symptoms (particualrly relating to hypervigilance) here.

What’s the difference between PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder?

What’s the difference between PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder? Finding the right treatment for any mental health condition starts with getting the right diagnosis. But that can be tricky when different conditions present in similar ways, or sometimes even occur

Can PTSD be mistaken for ADHD?

Can PTSD be mistaken for ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects around 3-5% children and 2% of adults in the UK. The number of people diagnosed with ADHD has escalated over the past few decades,

Suicide amongst people with PTSD

Suicide amongst people with PTSD This is an extremely tough topic, and this article contains triggers and some very hard truths. However, it’s crucial to explore and discuss the link between PTSD symptoms and suicidal thoughts and actions to save

Can childhood PTSD be mistaken for autism?

Can childhood PTSD be mistaken for autism? As any parent or teacher knows, interpreting a child’s behaviour isn’t always easy, especially if it goes outside the ‘norm’. Sometimes a child’s behaviour is a sign of a cognitive disorder, but since

EFT ‘tapping’ for PTSD

EFT ‘tapping’ for PTSD Leading EFT expert urges use of ‘tapping’ to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as doctors predict a surge in COVID-related PTSD. A UK expert in psychological treatments for veterans with PTSD is calling for EFT tapping

Purple Tinged Skin Discolouration

Purple Tinged Skin Discolouration PTSD UK supporter Mel, has written this incredibly powerful poem ‘Purple Tinged Skin Discolouration’ – many people feel that there would be less stigma, or more understanding if PTSD was a physical condition that people could

The link between cortisol and PTSD

The link between cortisol and PTSD (and how to balance it) PTSD is an intensely complex and hard to understand condition. There is no explanation for why some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder, while others exposed to a similar level

How solution focused hypnotherapy can help people with PTSD

How solution focused hypnotherapy can help people with PTSD There’s a well-used expression in business, that there’s “a solution to every problem”. It certainly doesn’t feel that way when you have post-traumatic stress disorder and struggle with daily symptoms and

Case Study: CBT Treatment – Abby

Case Study: CBT Treatment – Abby Abby witnessed the suicide of a stranger and went on to develop PTSD along with enormous amounts of guilt. Realising she needed to do something, she started CBT treatment which she says ‘changed her

How to find the right therapist for PTSD recovery

How to find the right therapist for PTSD recovery Your experience of PTSD or C-PTSD is personal to you. From its causes, to the way it impacts your daily life, right through to the best way to achieve sustainable recovery.

Case Study: EMDR Treatment – Rachael

Case Study: EMDR Treatment – Rachael Rachael was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of the horrific symptoms she experienced following a surgery. Unfortunately, Rachael had a few ‘false starts’ with EMDR, where the services provided had a specific timeframe

Case Study: EMDR Treatment – Emily

Case Study: EMDR Treatment – Emily Emily underwent EMDR treatment over Zoom to treat her PTSD following a trauma in her job as a Police Officer. Here, Emily explains more about her EMDR treatment, and how it changed her crippling

Treatments for PTSD

It is possible for PTSD to be successfully treated many years after the traumatic event occurred, which means it is never too late to seek help. For some, the first step may be watchful waiting, then exploring therapeutic options such as individual or group therapy – but the main treatment options in the UK are psychological treatments such as Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprogramming (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Traumatic events can be very difficult to come to terms with, but confronting and understanding your feelings and seeking professional help is often the only way of effectively treating PTSD. You can find out more in the links below, or here.