WHAT IS PTSD?
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after distressing events
- Persistent feelings of panic, flashbacks and nightmares around a past traumatic event
- People who have experienced a distressing event may find they face emotional challenges long after the incident took place
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD can affect anyone. People experience PTSD after a traumatic event or events in their life. PTSD can occur immediately after a traumatic experience, but it often affects people long after the event has passed.
A trauma is a shocking and dangerous event that you see or that happens to you. PTSD can be triggered by lots of different experiences. It varies from person to person. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks and nightmares around the trauma, as well as difficulty concentrating and carrying out everyday activities.
Most people who go through a traumatic event will experience distress, however this usually lessens over time. People dealing with PTSD have intense symptoms that can continue long after the trauma is over.
If you think that you or someone you care about is struggling with PTSD, it's important to get help. You can find tailored support for what you're going through here.
If you're struggling to move forward or are feeling suicidal because of PTSD you're facing you can speak to CALM in confidence.
CALM’s professional helpline staff are available from 5pm to midnight every day. They can help you explore how you’re feeling and will talk things through without judgement. They'll give practical advice and suggestions to help you find a way to get help and feel better. Find out more about CALM's helpline here.