Print page

Living with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Thoughtful Talk confidentially to Samaritans any time of the day or night.

Whatever you're going through, whether it's big or small, don't bottle it up. We are here for you if you're worried about something, feel upset or confused, or just want to talk to someone.

Traumatic events can take time to get over and people vary in how long it can take to come to terms with something that has shocked them.

However, some people find they cannot seem to recover easily and experience symptoms of depression or grief long after the event - and sometimes the symptoms may not appear until months or even years after the initial trauma.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a phrase commonly connected to people who have experienced war.

This month for example, relatives, descendants, friends and colleagues gathered to honour service personnel killed during conflicts the UK forces have been involved in since 1914.

Some of the survivors of these wars will have carried the legacy of these wars for months or years themselves in the form of PTSD.

It is not isolated to soldiers though - anyone can suffer from it. The NHS recognises the condition and describes it as a "psychological and physical condition that can be caused by extremely frightening or distressing events".

Finding oneself in the thick of a natural disaster, being involved in a serious accident, witnessing or being hurt in a terrorist attack, being physically assaulted or raped - all these are classed as serious events that could lead to PTSD.

In fact, the NHS estimates that almost a third of people who experience the sudden death of a loved one will go on to exhibit symptoms of PTSD and some 40 per cent of people with the disorder had their symptoms brought on by this kind of event.

Twice as many women as men will suffer from it at some point in their lives - ten per cent as opposed to five per cent, as quoted by the NHS - and children can be affected too.

Martyn Symons, the founder of PTSD UK - an online resource - said the condition is serious and "debilitating" because it affects every part of a person's life.

"There is no one common cause," he added. "Some people have had a one-off traumatic experience such as a crash, others have been exposed to a traumatic event over many years, such as sexual abuse or an abusive relationship."

People who are experiencing the symptoms should seek assistance from their GP or a mental health charity as soon as possible, Mr Symons advised.

"The person will be trying to cope with some very nasty stuff 24 hours a day and there is no immediate relief."

Common symptoms of PTSD include reliving the event through flashbacks or nightmares; avoiding people, situations or circumstances linked or reminiscent of the event; experiencing hyper-arousal or hyper-vigilance, sleep disturbance and irritability or anger; feelings of emotional detachment; displaying other symptoms of depression; plus engaging in drug or alcohol misuse.

Complex PTSD is a more severe form and is characterised by symptoms such as feeling ashamed, guilty and suicidal.

The term PTSD was coined in the 1980s and since then more health professionals have accepted and understood the condition exists.

However, the irony is that the nature of the disorder means people sometimes find it hard to ask for help and could have the added worry their symptoms may not be recognised.

Friends and family play an important role in the recovery of a loved one who has experienced a trauma.

Mr Symons explained while people with PTSD often appear to be pushing their loved ones away, in fact they often want their support.

"Despite things that may happen or which may be said, the person with PTSD does need understanding people around them," he went on to say.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists also advises family and friends never to undermine the recovery of someone with PTSD by telling them "you know how they feel - you don't".

Other things to avoid include telling them they are lucky to be alive and playing down the impact the trauma has had on them.

People recover from PTSD and the length of time it takes can vary between individuals - everyone is different.

Treatments include psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and eye movement desensitisation reprogramming (also known as EMDR) - and medication.

Psychotherapist Karen Burke said she "regularly" sees clients who display symptoms of trauma or PTSD in the course of her work with adoption organisations and private sessions at the Manchester Institute of Psychotherapy.

"At the moment, 15 per cent to 20 per cent of my clients have experienced significant trauma [or] shown symptoms of PTSD," she explained.

While a client might not recognise they have the disorder, often the symptoms have impacted so much on their lives it has become obvious they need some kind of help, she went on to say - but often a referral or recommendation is made by someone close to them or who they have confided in.

"Some clients need a friend, relative or professional to suggest psychotherapy, as they are not recognising just how they have adjusted to [or] accepted how their way of being has changed," she added.

Ms Burke said only a medical practitioner may make a diagnosis of PTSD but many health professionals recognise the symptoms.

Her assessments are made by listening to the client's history, which acts as the "background" for what he or she is "experiencing in the present".

Therapy is matched to the needs of her clients, rather than the client being "adapted" to the therapy, she added.

"People can be extremely tolerant of their trauma and have the ability to creatively adjust to living with the trauma and their reactions," she went on to say.

"As a nation we can expect people to 'manage', adopt a 'stiff upper lip', or just 'get on with it', this blocks psychological health and growth and induces shame in the traumatised client.

"We cannot accurately predict who will be traumatised, by what experience, every person is an individual … every person deserves the right to psychological good health," she concluded.

People who feel they have suffered a trauma that has left them feeling depressed, unable to cope or who think they could have some symptoms of PTSD can call the Samaritans for confidential advice on 08457 909090 (UK mainland) or 1850 609090 (Republic of Ireland).

Living with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

More stories