PTSD (as it is commonly known) stands for post-traumatic stress disorder and is an mental health condition that some people go on to develop after being exposed to trauma.
I live with PTSD and I know just how debilitating it can be. Hopefully the information in this post will be able to help you learn more about PTSD, whether you are struggling yourself or wanting to help a loved one. Life can be incredibly difficult and scary for someone who lives with this condition. They need understanding, patience and gentle support.
What causes PTSD?
Experiencing very stressful, scary or distressing events can trigger PTSD. Most people who experience a traumatic event will not go on to develop PTSD.
Events that can lead to PTSD include (but are not limited to):
- Being the victim of violence
- Rape or sexual assault
- Road traffic accidents
- Surviving a natural disaster or act of terrorism
- Death of a loved one
- War / combat
- Being the victim of a crime (such as a robbery)
- Difficult medical procedures (such as childbirth complications)
Whether or not someone will go on to develop PTSD is linked to how personal the trauma is believed to be. Someone is far more likely to develop PTSD after violence than a natural disaster, but it can be caused by either.
The traumatic event that is most likely to lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder is rape, with over 19% of victims going on to be diagnosed. People who have experienced sexual assault are also more likely to miss their smear test – I put mine off for 4 years because of the trauma I went through.
Who can get PTSD?
The term PTSD came into use in the 1970s, largely because of the many Vietnam veterans who were diagnosed with mental health issues following their service there. It was added to the DSM III in 1980.
Anyone can get PTSD. Despite the fact that culturally PTSD is often associated with the military, PTSD is actually commonplace among civilians too – affecting up to 3.5% of the population at any given time.
PTSD is thought to affect around 1 in 3 people who experience a significant traumatic event, but it isn’t clear why it only develops in some people and not others.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is well known for causing the sufferer to relive their traumatic experience (often through flashbacks and nightmares), but there are other signs to look out for:
- Depression, hopelessness and anger
- Feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt resulting in difficulty connecting with others
- Physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, feeling sick or vomiting while recalling or reliving events
- Sleeping problems such as insomnia, nightmares or night terrors
- Difficulty relaxing
- Physical pain caused by tension
- Hypervigilance
- Thoughts of suicide or self harm
A note on hypervigilance: Hypervigilance is a common PTSD symptom and is sometimes described as feeling “on edge”. It is associated with heightened senses, difficulty sleeping and being jumpy or easily startled.
To me, hypervigilance is constantly scanning my surroundings like a meerkat. I notice subtle changes in smells, sounds and the space around me because of this heightened state. It might sound like some sort of superhuman ability but it really isn’t. I can’t turn it off. It’s exhausting.
It is normal to struggle to come to terms with trauma. But, if symptoms persist for longer than a month, you could be living with post-traumatic stress disorder and should ask your GP to refer you for a psychological assessment.
Complex PTSD can be diagnosed in adults who have been repeatedly exposed to neglect, violence, abuse or other traumatic events; often starting in childhood. NHS overview of C-PTSD.
What does it feel like to live with post-traumatic stress disorder?
Living with PTSD can be incredible difficult. Symptoms can be severe and can have a significant impact on day to day life. If left untreated, PTSD can also cause further health complications, including physical pain, depression and agoraphobia.
I have PTSD and it has ruined my life. It dominates my decisions and defines the limitations of what I can handle in any given day. It cost me my career and it almost cost me my life. The world feels like a very scary place.
Over time I have developed some coping mechanisms and built my own little safety nets. Life is still very difficult for me and, until I’m able to access proper treatment, which I hope will be soon, I’m likely to continue struggling. I do want to live a full and free life at the end of this, so I hope that I can keep recovering.
If you think you might be struggling to overcome trauma, you might benefit from some of these mental health resources. They’re not a substitute for medical support but there’s a lot of information, services and charities that may be able to help you while you wait for referrals or take care of yourself between appointments.
What treatment is available for PTSD?
Treatment of PTSD varies according to which services are available in your area as well as the severity of your condition. Early on, your GP may suggest what is called “watchful waiting”, which is a kind of wait and see approach that they might consider if your trauma is recent or your symptoms are mild. This is to see if the PTSD gets better or worse in time.
The main treatments for PTSD are:
- Psychological therapies (EMDR, trauma focused counselling or CBT)
- Antidepressants
Self Care is an absolutely key part of living with PTSD and will help make life easier to manage as you learn to live with your condition. There are several things you can do to make life easier such as taking care of your physical health, seeking peer support, getting plenty of rest and making use of grounding techniques.
Mind Charity say that one of the most useful ways to cope with PTSD is to confide in someone, but that you should also seek specialist help to manage your condition.
What is the prognosis for post-traumatic stress disorder?
Given proper treatment, care and support, the outlook for PTSD is good and it can be successfully treated.
The most important thing to remember is to give yourself time to heal without putting pressure on yourself. It is common for PTSD symptoms to change in intensity and re-experiencing symptoms you thought you had moved past doesn’t need to mean a step backwards for your recovery.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is not a choice and it isn’t a sign of weakness. It is a natural reaction to surviving difficult events and you shouldn’t be ashamed to reach out for help if you need it.
If you found this post helpful, you might benefit from reading 10 things you should know about living with PTSD or What to expect from Person Centred Counselling.
I have a whole section of posts created with Self Care in mind, if you need help with getting started.
Thank you for your honesty and a really informative and beautifully laid out and written post! 😊👏
Thanks so much Tom!