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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.
Compassion focused therapy for people with PTSD
Compassion focused therapy for people with PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can change the way you see the world and other people. However, it can also create substantial damage in how you see yourself, including causing feelings of shame, self-anger
Case Study: EMDR Treatment – Ranya
Case Study: EMDR Treatment – Ranya Ranya* grew up in a violent and abusive household which led to her developing PTSD. In this case study, she tells us how, despite her initial worries, EMDR has changed outlook her outlook on
Case Study: EMDR Treatment for Children – AJ
Case Study: EMDR Treatment for Children – AJ After a humiliating experience at school, AJ developed PTSD. Following panic attacks and other symptoms he underwent EMDR treatment designed for children which had a really positive impact on him. “Before I
Understanding PTSD if you’ve seen Pixars’ Inside Out
PTSD is so difficult to explain to someone else. It’s hard to explain how it makes you feel, as most of the time, you don’t even understand it yourself. To those who have an analytical mind, you can try to
How to talk to a loved one about your PTSD
How to talk to a loved one about your PTSD Having access to a therapist to discuss the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not always enough. You will sometimes need to talk about your PTSD – and its
How to talk to a loved one about their PTSD or mental health
How to talk to a loved one about their PTSD or mental health It’s been said that two of the hardest things to say, are ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘I need help.’ However, it can also be daunting to ask someone
EFT/Tapping for PTSD and C-PTSD: Case Studies
EFT/Tapping for PTSD and C-PTSD: Case Studies Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or ‘tapping’ is a scientifically proven technique which can release any ‘blockages’ which can be the source of emotional intensity and discomfort, and has shown to be incredibly effective
Emotional Freedom Techniques or ‘tapping’ for PTSD
Emotional Freedom Techniques or ‘tapping’ for PTSD Albert Einstein proved in the 1920’s that everything (including our bodies) is comprised of energy. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or ‘tapping’ is a scientifically proven technique which can release any ‘blockages’ in this
The link between PTSD and hair loss
The link between PTSD and hair loss Oscar winning actress and producer Sandra Bullock has recently revealed details about her post-traumatic stress disorder, which has helped to create new conversations and openness about this issue. Especially as she has also
Imagery Rescripting for PTSD
Imagery Rescripting for PTSD Your own mind can be an unpleasant or frightening place when you have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It can summon up unwanted memories, flashbacks, distressing imagery and future scenarios that add to your anxiety and distress.
The connection between sleep paralysis and PTSD
The connection between sleep paralysis and PTSD Common expressions used to describe medical terms can sometimes add to widespread misunderstanding and stigma. That’s certainly the case with ‘Old Hag’ syndrome, often depicted in art as a demon sitting on someone’s
Virtually guided exposure therapy improves outcomes in patients with PTSD
Virtually guided exposure therapy improves outcomes in patients with PTSD “Virtually guided prolonged exposure therapy reduced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms more effectively than prolonged exposure alone in a pilot study of 40 civilians and veterans. The study was conducted
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.