Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem that develops after experiencing traumatic events, such as:

• Being involved in a life-threatening event such as a car crash

• Being abused or bullied

• Being sexually assaulted

• Experiencing or witnessing violence in war zones or working in emergency services

• Traumatic childbirth 

• Traumatic bereavement

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Symptoms can include:

• Flashbacks and/or nightmares

• Feeling numb or dissociated

• Feeling hypervigilant, in danger, or easily startled

• Emotional volatility

• Difficulty concentrating

• Anxiety and related physical symptoms; body aches, sweating, nausea, trembling, dizziness, or chest pains

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Experiencing these symptoms initially after a traumatic incident is known as an 'acute stress reaction', but may be a sign of PTSD if they persist for over a month. 

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Read our blog on PTSD here.