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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.
It’s so much more than just ‘fight or flight’
Trauma: It’s more than just ‘fight or flight’ It’s common to see references to the basic human instincts of ‘fight or flight’ when faced with a traumatic situation. In fact, the brain is hardwired to deliver a wider range of
PTSD UK Art Competition
PTSD UK 2021 Art Competition is Open! PTSD UK has launched a competition to find powerful and empowering art for a new book to help support people with PTSD – and we need YOUR artwork please! Enter the competition here
How art therapy has helped those with PTSD
Picasso once said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” and many people around the world use art as a means to deal with stress, trauma and unhappiness – or to just find greater peace and
Medication for PTSD
Medication for PTSD Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health condition caused by experiencing, or witnessing a traumatic event, and the symptoms of which are varied but can be persistent and severe. Thankfully, there are plenty of successful
Counselling and Talking therapies for PTSD
Counselling and Talking therapies for PTSD Talking therapies have been increasingly used in recent years, as people explore the best ways to tackle depression and anxiety. According to NHS figures, 1.6m people were referred for talking therapy in 2018-19, a
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
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.