Trauma

Although it is most commonly associated with war veterans, anyone, including children, can develop PTSD.

It can occur after involvement in an accident, assault or natural disasters, with a greater risk of occurrence if the event involved deliberate harm or repeated traumatic experiences. Even witnessing a distressing incident, or being exposed to those who have, can trigger PTSD symptoms in some cases.

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People with PTSD may experience ongoing re-occurrence of the same feelings that they experienced during the traumatic event(s) – depressed or negative mood or thoughts, dissociative symptoms or a combination of these symptom patterns. The symptoms may interfere with the person’s ability to carry out their everyday life, work and relationships.

• Repeatedly re-living the event, including the accompanying physical or mental distress, through memories, flashbacks or dreams.
• Hyperarousal or hypervigilance – being overly alert, ‘on edge’, wound up or irritable.
• Avoiding people, places or anything that may remind them of the trauma.
• Feeling emotionally numb or uninterested.

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Sometimes PTSD sufferers experience other mental health problems (especially if the PTSD is long-standing), including depression, anxiety and substance abuse.

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Everyone experiences emotions like trauma differently. Sometimes people will not recognise the traumatic event as an issue but experience mood disorders, relationship problems, poor sleep, sexual dysfunction, or physical health complaints such as headaches, gastrointestinal problems and skin disorders.

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