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.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Prolonged Exposure Therapy and PTSD One of the most robust ways to address the symptoms of PTSD is to engage in various types of exposure-focused cognitive behaviour therapy. Though it’s always vital this is done with the support of a

Music Therapy for PTSD

Music Therapy for PTSD Music can connect us to strong memories (good and bad). It can move us and create a swell of strong emotion. It has been used for centuries to soothe or enchant, as well as to create

How TRE can help people with PTSD

Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) for PTSD There are multiple ways to tackle the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Which means even those people with complex and persistent PTSD can find a therapy – or combination of therapies –

How writing can help people with PTSD

How writing can help people with PTSD An empty notebook can suggest limitless possibilities. It’s also one of the simplest and best tools to improve your mental health, including when you have a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. Many people

Narrative Exposure Therapy

Narrative Exposure Therapy and PTSD Among the techniques used to support people with PTSD is Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). It can be a group work option or used for one-to-one counselling and support, as a short term intervention. NET is

Decluttering, Organising, and Exercising

Guest Post: My Story, My Essentials: Decluttering, Organising, and Exercising for PTSD From yoga to acupuncture, surfing to forest bathing, there are a huge amount of activities and therapies that can help ease PTSD symptoms. In this guest post, Katie

Case Study: EMDR Treatment – Sophie

Case Study: Sophie’s EMDR Treatment Sophie* underwent EMDR treatment after being diagnosed with PTSD following a trauma. Here, Sophie explains more about her EMDR treatment, what happened in her sessions, and how she feels EMDR ‘saved her life.’ (*Please note, names

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

How Progressive Muscle Relaxation can help people with PTSD One of the worst responses to someone showing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder is to tell them ‘Just relax!”. You can’t switch off your responses like a light. Instead, a mixture

Accelerated Resolution Therapy

What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (and how can it help PTSD)? PTSD can feel like you’re stuck in a loop of distressing thoughts, memories and feelings that seem like they’ll never stop. But treatment is available and it’s never too

Case Study: EMDR Treatment – Darren

Case Study: EMDR Treatment – Darren Darren* was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of a medical emergency and underwent EMDR treatment which he says has ‘undoubtedly changed his life’.(*Please note, names have been changed for the privacy of our

Case Study: EMDR Treatment – Claudia

Case Study: EMDR Treatment – Claudia Claudia* was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of a number of traumatic events in her life and underwent EMDR treatment which she says has ‘transformed her life’. (*Please note, names have been changed

Case Study: EMDR treatment-Melissa

Case Study: Melissa’s EMDR Treatment Melissa* underwent EMDR treatment after being diagnosed with PTSD following a medical emergency which resulted in an induced coma. Here, Melissa explains more about her treatment, what happened in her sessions, and the incredible difference

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.