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.
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What can cause PTSD?
PTSD & C-PTSD can affect anyone who has been exposed to trauma – an event or events 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 & C-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 & C-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.
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Do you need more information about PTSD?
Our website has lots of information about PTSD & C-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 or C-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 or C-PTSD on this page here.
I think my loved one has PTSD, what can I do?
If you think your partner may have PTSD or C-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 or C-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 or C-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 & C-PTSD in the UK?
It is possible for PTSD & C-PTSD to be successfully treated many years after trauma 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 and C-PTSD in the UK here.
What can I do to ease my PTSD or C-PTSD symptoms?
There are several therapies, activities or practices which can be useful in easing and reducing PTSD & C-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 & C-PTSD, particularly anxiety related ones. You can also read about some practical tips to help with PTSD symptoms (particularly relating to hypervigilance) here.
Meditation and PTSD
How meditation can ease PTSD symptoms There are abundant misconceptions about meditation. Including that it always involves clearing your mind, in silence, to create spiritual enlightenment. The stereotypical meditative pose is sitting crossed-legged on the floor, with your hands either
The Havening Technique and PTSD
The Havening Technique for PTSD The Havening Techniques – more formally known as Amygdala Depotentiation – is a psychosensory therapy which is designed to change the brain to de-traumatize the memory and remove its negative effects from both our psyche and
How fidget spinners can help PTSD sufferers
How fidget spinners can help PTSD sufferers The power of distraction. It’s an amazing tool in many situations, from calming fretful toddlers to helping adults though the ravages of chronic anxiety. It’s also a way for people to manage the
Could your sleep apnoea be connected to PTSD? (And 7 ways to get a better night’s sleep)
It’s probably no surprise that PTSD can wreak havoc with your sleeping patterns. Hyperarousal and anxiety can make it harder to fall asleep, while sensitivity to the slightest sound can cause you to wake up frequently during the night.
The link between PTSD and alcoholism
The link between PTSD and alcoholism In the UK, nearly 40% of people with a substance misuse disorder (including alcohol) also have a PTSD diagnosis. Research also shows that people with PTSD are around four times more likely to be
How dogs can help people with PTSD
How dogs can help people with PTSD Most pet owners are clear about the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with companion animals. However, many of us remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can
Run the 2021 Great North Run to support PTSD UK
We’re absolutely delighted to be able to announce that we’ve been able to roll over a limited number of charity places for this years 2021 Great North Run! These charity entries mean that we’re able to offer our supporters the
The link between COVID-19 and PTSD
The term ‘unprecedented times’ almost doesn’t cover it: a healthcare crisis on a global scale – and it’s still ongoing. Nobody can say with any certainty how many people will be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, or in what ways.
Crowdfunding for our Outreach Project
We’re excited to announce we’ve been selected for the Aviva Community Fund, and so we’ve just launched our first crowdfunding page to undertake some vital outreach work to reach the most vulnerable and at-risk communities. It’s estimated that 70% of
The Link Between Skin Conditions and PTSD
If you have recently experienced a highly stressful or traumatic event, you may have noticed that your skin has flared up badly. It could be very dry, scarring more easily or you could find yourself with acne or rosacea. This
PTSD UK 2019 Calendar Photography Competition is Open!
The 2019 calendar theme is our motto, ‘Tomorrow CAN be a new day’, so we’re looking for your photographs, which demonstrate the attributes this brings: Hope, Strength, and Courage (or anything else it means to you). PTSD UK has launched
How martial arts is helping PTSD sufferers
For many people with PTSD one of the most important things is finding ways to alleviate their symptoms whilst they heal and recover. We’ve reported several are physical activities that may ease your symptoms and improve wellbeing such as horse therapy,
Treatments for PTSD
It is possible for PTSD & C-PTSD to be successfully treated many years after the trauma 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 & C-PTSD. You can find out more in the links below, or here.