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.
Please 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.
Support PTSD UK while you shop – at no cost to you!
Support PTSD UK while you shop – at no cost to you! Dare we mention Christmas yet? If it’s too early for you to shop for gifts yet, then perhaps you’re gearing up to make cut-price purchases during Black Friday
Join Team PTSD UK for the 2022 LLHM!
Join Team PTSD UK for the 2022 LLHM! You can run the London Landmarks Half Marathon to support PTSD UK! This event is not your average half marathon! From cultural landmarks and heritage to the city’s quirky and hidden secrets,
Remember remember… those with PTSD
Remember remember… those with PTSD We’ve mentioned before that people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can often develop difficulties with sounds such as exaggerated startle response, fear of sound (phonophobia), aversion to specific sounds (misophonia), and a difficulty in tolerance and volume of
Case Study: CBT Treatment – Holly
Case Study: CBT Treatment – Holly Holly developed PTSD after seeing her Dad who received fatal crush injuries. Following intense flashbacks and intrusive memories, she started CBT treatment which allowed her to become free from the effects of PTSD within
Unexpected physical symptoms of PTSD
Unexpected physical symptoms of PTSD Cortisol is a vital element in our bodies as it converts proteins into usable energy – it’s what gets us out of bed in the morning, and it’s also used by our bodies for balancing insulin effects
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
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.