What is PTSD and what are the signs to look out for?

POST-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can seriously impact someone's life.

Those suffering from the condition have nightmares and flashbacks, and struggle to move forward.

What is PTSD?

PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by intensely stressful, frightening or distressing events.

People affected by the condition are often forced to relive a traumatic event from their past, such as through a series of nightmares and flashbacks.

They may also experience feelings of isolation, guilt, irritability, insomnia, and a lack of concentration.

In many cases, these symptoms have a serious impact on the person's day-to-day life.

It can also affect a person's ability to drive - so sufferers should inform the DVLA of their conditions.

PTSD was officially recognised as a mental health condition by American psychiatrists in 1980.

The first cases of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were documented during the First World War, between 1914 and 1918.

Soldiers developed 'shell shock' due to the harrowing conditions in the trenches, and witnessing the horrors of war.

What are the signs of post traumatic stress disorder?

• Re-experiencing: This is the most common symptom. It often takes the form of flashbacks, nightmares, repetitive and distressing images or sensations, sweating, pain, nausea and trembling.
• Avoidance: Avoiding certain people and places that remind the person of the experience. Many people avoid talking about the trauma - and may distract themselves with work or hobbies. Some people attempt to numb their emotions completely, which can lead to them becoming isolated and withdrawn.
• Hyper-arousal: Leading to angry outbursts, irritability, insomnia and a lack of concentration.
• Other mental health problems: Including depression, anxiety or phobias.
• Self-harming or drug/alcohol misuse.
• Physical symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, chest pains and tummy aches.
• In children: Bed wetting, separation anxiety or re-enacting traumatic events through their play.

PTSD can develop immediately after someone experiences a disturbing event - but sometimes it doesn't emerge until weeks or years later.

The mental illness affects around a third of people who have had a traumatic experience - and it's not clear exactly why some people develop the condition and others don't.

How is it treated?

There are a range of options to tackle someone's PTSD.

Often it is not a quick fix - it can require hours of careful work to process the trauma.

But eventually patients can hope to see some improvement and get their life back.

• Watchful waiting: Monitoring someone's symptoms to see if they get better or worse without treatment.
• Psychotherapy: Examples include trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).
• Group therapy: An opportunity to discuss PTSD with others who have experienced the same trauma. Examples of UK charities and support groups include Combat Stress (for ex-military personnel), Rape Crisis (for females who have experienced abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault), Victim Support (for victims of or witnesses to crime), and CRUSE (for those who have experienced bereavement).
• Antidepressants

How can children seek help with PTSD?

Children, teens and other young people battling PTSD will normally be treated using CBT.

A course of eight to 12 sessions, which suit the child's age, will be organised.

Family members may be invited along, if appropriate.

Treatment with medication isn't recommended in young people.