Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It differs from a normal stress response in that the distress persists for months or years, disrupting daily life. PTSD is recognised across all countries and cultures, with elevated rates noted among conflict-affected populations, disaster survivors, and migrant workers.
Key points
- What sets this apart from ordinary stress is that the distress lingers for months or years rather than settling naturally.
- Four broad symptom groups are recognised: reliving the event, avoiding reminders, negative changes in outlook, and constant heightened alertness.
- Onset can follow within weeks of the traumatic event, or not surface until years afterwards, with widely varying severity.
- Talking therapy focused on the trauma is usually tried first, with a class of antidepressant reserved for when medicine is also needed.
How PTSD shows up
Symptoms fall into four broad patterns: intrusion (flashbacks, nightmares), avoidance (steering clear of reminders), negative shifts in mood or thinking, and a heightened state of alertness that makes sleep and concentration difficult. Not everyone experiences all four, and severity varies considerably. Symptoms may appear within weeks of a trauma or surface years later.
Managing PTSD
Trauma-focused talking therapies are generally the first approach. When medicine is needed, antidepressants are the most studied class for PTSD, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline, which can reduce the intensity of intrusive symptoms and improve overall mood.
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, contact a local mental health helpline or emergency service. Hospital emergency departments in many countries provide 24-hour psychiatric support.