Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is a natural response to an abnormal situation – and it is far more common than many people realise. It affects people from all walks of life, including survivors of accidents, assaults, abuse, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and those who have served in the armed forces.
PTSD is not a sign of weakness. It is the mind and body’s response to an overwhelming experience – one that calls for proper understanding and care.
Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD symptoms typically fall into four main categories:
- Re-experiencing: Flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories, or distressing physical sensations that feel as though the trauma is happening again. These can be triggered by sounds, smells, images, or situations that serve as reminders of the event.
- Avoidance: Deliberately avoiding thoughts, feelings, people, places, or activities that are associated with the trauma. This may lead to withdrawal from social life and significant changes in daily routine.
- Negative changes in thinking and mood: Persistent negative beliefs about oneself or the world, feelings of guilt or shame, emotional numbness, difficulty experiencing positive emotions, or a sense of detachment from others.
- Hyperarousal: Being in a constant state of high alert — feeling on edge, easily startled, having difficulty sleeping, experiencing irritability or angry outbursts, and having trouble concentrating.
A person must experience symptoms for more than one month, and those symptoms must cause significant distress or affect daily functioning, to meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.
How is PTSD Diagnosed?
A qualified mental health professional – typically a psychologist or psychiatrist – diagnoses PTSD through a thorough clinical assessment.
It is important to seek assessment from someone with specialist training in trauma, as PTSD can sometimes present alongside other conditions – including depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use – that also need to be addressed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Therapy Options for PTSD in the UK
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT): A structured form of CBT that specifically targets traumatic memories and the unhelpful thoughts and behaviours that maintain PTSD symptoms. It typically involves revisiting the traumatic memory in a safe, controlled way, while developing new ways of understanding the experience.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a highly effective, evidence-based therapy for PTSD. It uses bilateral stimulation (typically guided eye movements) while the person holds traumatic memories in mind, enabling the brain to process and integrate these memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity. EMDR does not require the person to talk in detail about the traumatic event, making it a preferred option for many.
For Complex PTSD, clinicians often recommend a phased treatment approach. They begin with stabilisation and help people build emotional regulation skills before moving into trauma processing.
Clinicians may also incorporate other approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and somatic therapies, depending on the individual’s needs.
How Long Does PTSD Treatment Take?
The duration of treatment depends on the nature and complexity of the trauma. Complex PTSD, by its nature, typically requires longer-term therapeutic support.
It is also worth noting that recovery is not about forgetting what happened – it is about being able to recall the memory without being overwhelmed by it, and reclaiming a sense of safety, connection, and meaning in life.
PTSD Support at PLE Health
At PLE Health, our team of experienced trauma-specialist psychologists and therapists use their training in EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT, and other evidence-based approaches to support people with PTSD and Complex PTSD.
We provide thorough trauma assessments and tailor treatment plans to each individual’s needs. We also work with organisations and insurers to support employees and clients who experience trauma in or outside the workplace.
01453 621444 | mytreatment@plehealth.com