Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a set of reactions that can occur after someone has been through a traumatic event. About 5-10% of Australians will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives.
Key Symptoms of PTSD
The main symptoms of PTSD are:
- Reliving the trauma: Reliving the traumatic event through distressing, unwanted memories, vivid nightmares and flashbacks. This can also include feeling very upset or having intense physical reactions such as heart palpitations or being unable to breathe when reminded of the traumatic event.
- Avoidance: Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event, including activities, places, people, thoughts or feelings that bring back memories of the trauma.
- Negative thoughts & feelings: like fear, anger and guilt, or feeling flat or numb a lot of the time. A person might blame themselves or others for what happened during or after the traumatic event, feel cut off from friends and family, or lose interest in day-to-day activities.
- Hyperarousal (“wound up”): This might mean having trouble sleeping or concentrating, feeling angry or irritable, taking risks, being easily startled and/or being constantly on the lookout for danger.
- Co‑occurring mental health issues: It is not unusual for people with PTSD to experience other mental health problems as well, like depression or anxiety. Some people may develop a habit of using alcohol or drugs as a way of coping.
Support & Treatment
To seek treatment support go to: EAP Assist
For online support go to: MindSpot PTSD Course
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