Understanding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Many of us will experience trauma in our lives. Some of us will get post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from this trauma. 

We're here to help you understand PTSD.

As the months went on, my mental health deteriorated. I found myself crying....I used to hide in the back corridors of work and cry uncontrollably at the thought of coming across that day again.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem some people get after a traumatic event. A traumatic event is when you see or experience something that makes you very stressed or scared.

PTSD was first recognised in war veterans. It's been called different things in the past, like 'shell shock'. But anyone can get PTSD, not just soldiers. And PTSD doesn't just happen to people who experience war.

The main features of PTSD are:

• Reliving what happened to you in your mind
• Avoiding memories and thoughts of what happened to you
• Feeling like you're under threat or not safe

You might experience these things in different ways. See our symptoms of PTSD page for more information. 

When is PTSD diagnosed?

Not everyone that goes through a traumatic event will get PTSD. Lots of people have the symptoms of PTSD after these events.

If these symptoms don't last very long, it's usually called an 'acute stress reaction'. To get a PTSD diagnosis the symptoms normally need to last more than 1 month. But you can ask your GP for help at any time. 

If you do have symptoms for more than a month, your GP can do an assessment. They'll talk to you about treatment options. They can refer you for treatment and support you might need.

You can find out more on our page on treatment for PTSD.

I thought I was coping quite well to start with. Then a few weeks after the event, I began experiencing unpleasant physical symptoms, similar to those of a heart attack. Chest pain, tightness and dizzy spells so severe that I thought I would pass out.

Are there different types of PTSD?

Doctors might describe your PTSD as mild, moderate or severe. This explains what sort of impact your symptoms have on you at the moment. It's not a judgement of how bad your trauma was.

Some types of PTSD have a specific name:

Delayed-onset PTSD

This is the name given to PTSD when symptoms start more than 6 months after trauma. It might also be called 'delayed expression'.

Complex PTSD

Some types of serious or long-term trauma can cause PTSD with extra symptoms. You might have problems managing your emotions. You might find it hard to trust people. And you might have problems with relationships.

If these problems are severe and have a big impact on your life, it might be called complex PTSD. See our page on complex PTSD for more information.

Birth trauma

If you get PTSD related to a traumatic experience of giving birth it might be called 'birth trauma'. Partners can experience it too. See our page on birth trauma and postnatal PTSD for more information.

Video: what's it like to have PTSD?

Watch Larry, Anamoli, Paul and Maisie share their experiences of what it's like to live with PTSD. They talk about what has helped them and how they see their future.

PTSD and stigma

There are lots of misconceptions about PTSD. And some people might have negative beliefs about it. This is sometimes called stigma. These beliefs can affect how people treat you.

For example, people may wrongly assume it means you’re 'dwelling' on past events. People might think you're 'damaged'. You might even think these things about yourself.

But having PTSD isn't a choice or a sign of weakness. It's important to remember that you're not alone.

Our page on how to help someone with PTSD might be useful to show to people in your life. It can help them understand your symptoms and how to support you.