Causes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is essentially a memory filing error caused by a traumatic event and can affect anyone who has been exposed to a traumatic event (this can include the trauma happening to you, or being a witness to trauma).
The defining characteristic of a traumatic event is its capacity to provoke fear, helplessness, or horror in response to the threat of injury or death and therefore can affect anyone. Examples of traumatic events include:
- Serious accidents such as road traffic accidents
- Being told you have a life-threatening illness
- Bereavement
- Violent personal assault, such as a physical attack, robbery, or mugging
- Medical staff
- Military combat and service
- Abuse, including Childhood and Domestic Abuse
- Emergency Service Workers
- Burglary
- Employment where you repeatedly see distressing images or hear details of traumatic events
- Natural disasters such as flooding or an earthquake
- Terrorist attack
- Being kidnapped or held hostage
- Traumatic childbirth (in men and women)
- Refugee and asylum seekers
- Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy
- Sexual Assault or rape
- Prison Employees
- Admission to an Intensive Care Unit
- Any event in which you fear for your life
It’s not clear why some people develop PTSD whilst others who’ve been in a similar situation don’t develop the condition. We do however, know that anyone can develop PTSD, but some people are at greater risk.
Some of the risk factors for developing PTSD include:
- repeated trauma
- lack of support after the trauma
- having had a mental illness in the past
- a history of abuse or trauma in childhood
- the type/severity of the traumatic event
Traumatic events can also cause depression, generalised anxiety, and agoraphobia – and if you experience any symptoms for longer than one month after a traumatic event, it’s important to talk to a doctor or other medical professional as soon as you can.
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.
PTSD UK Blog
You’ll find up-to-date news, research and information here along with some great tips to ease your PTSD in our blog.

What is Japanese “forest bathing” or Shinrin-Yoku and how can it improve your mental health?
If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise. If you go down to the woods today, you’d better… be aware of the scientifically proven healing benefits of ‘forest bathing’. Okay, okay, so that’s not

How art therapy has helped those with PTSD
The experience of going to counselling is often described as walking into a room with a bag of jumbled up colouring pencils. Each pencil you take out is a point of conversation with a trained practitioner. After dealing with it,
Virtual Runner UK | Half Marathon Challenge
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always wanted to run the Great North Run – but I’ve never been successful in a ballot place, yet. But one of our incredible supporters, Stacey, nominated PTSD UK to be the chosen

How horse riding and ‘equine therapy’ has helped PTSD sufferers
It has long been reported that household animals like cats and dogs can be fantastic for those suffering from anxiety and depression, offering natural support and comfort. But have you ever considered how horses may be able to help those

Why we need to discuss mental health on the anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack
Mental health is something Her Majesty the Queen is very aware of; she has spoken previously about the psychological repercussions of suicide attacks and how they may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In particular, in the days following the

PTSD UK and Mental Health Awareness Week 2018
Created in 2001 by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event aiming to educate the public and raise awareness of mental health issues, helping to promote better mental health. This year, the event runs from
Support & information for Friends and Family
When someone you care about suffers from PTSD it affects you too.
The symptoms of PTSD aren’t easy to live with, and the changes in your loved one can be downright terrifying. You may worry that things won’t ever go back to the way they were before. At the same time, you may feel angry about what’s happening to your family, or hurt by your loved one’s distance and new emotions.
Your support can make a huge difference in your friend or family member’s recovery. But as you do your best to care for someone with PTSD, you also need to take care of yourself too.