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 & 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.
PTSD UK Supporters Store
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.
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.
Support Spotlight – Dean
Supporter Spotlight – Dean We’re so grateful to each and every one of our supporters, but for the last year, Dean has been going above and beyond to support PTSD UK and raise awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with
PTSD Awareness Day 2022
PTSD Awareness Day 2022 This Monday, 27th June 2022 marks International PTSD Awareness Day and we’d love for you to get involved and help us raise our voice, shout louder and drive towards our mission to help support EVERYONE affected
How yoga can help ease PTSD symptoms
Groundbreaking studies have revealed that yoga practice actually changes core physiology related to PTSD and C-PTSD and can clinically decrease the symptoms by syncing awareness of movement with breath. This has a profound impact on training our nervous systems and
Broken Crayons Still Colour launch!
‘Broken Crayons Still Colour’ launch! 27th June marks International PTSD Awareness Day and to honour this, PTSD UK are launching their first art book to help people understand more about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – a condition which is estimated
How Acupuncture has helped people with PTSD
How Acupuncture has helped people with PTSD Alongside treatments such as EMDR and CBT, there are also a lot of other methods available for relieving PTSD and C-PTSD symptoms. One of these is acupuncture, which many research studies have shown
25 Press Up Challenge for PTSD Awareness Month
25 Press Up Challenge for PTSD Awareness Month June is PTSD Awareness Month and so the 25 Press Up Challenge is back! Find out more about how to get involved here! The National Centre for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in
The Window of Tolerance and PTSD
The Window of Tolerance and PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can make you feel very helpless. At times you can feel you have no control of your emotions, thoughts, feelings and actions – however understanding more about how and
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
How running can help people with PTSD
How running can help people with PTSD The physical and mental benefits of everything from gentle jogging to serious running are well known and exercise (particularly running) can help reduce the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (both PTSD and
Case Study: CPAP Treatment – David
Case Study: CPAP Treatment – David David’s PTSD symptoms after a helicopter crash were affecting every moment of his life until he came across CPAP therapy for Sleep Apnoea. Here, he shares his story about his life after finding the
My PTSD ‘toolbox’
My PTSD ‘toolbox’ During her life, Imogen Cauthery has experienced a number of traumas and resulting PTSD. Over time, despite some co-morbid conditions such as epilepsy and bulimia, Imogen has developed a ‘PTSD toolbox’ – a variety of therapies and
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.