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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

10-minute read

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Key facts

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when fear and anxiety don’t go away after experiencing a traumatic event.
  • Symptoms may include re-living the trauma, avoiding things that remind you of the trauma, negative thoughts and feeling tense.
  • PTSD can occur after experiencing, witnessing or even hearing about a traumatic event such as a serious accident, assault, war or natural disaster.
  • PTSD can be treated with psychological therapies and medicines — without treatment, it can lead to other mental health problems.
  • If you have experienced a traumatic event, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having support from family and friends can help prevent PTSD.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is mental health disorder that can occur after experiencing a traumatic event.

It’s common to have feelings of fear and anxiety after a traumatic event. In some cases, these feelings can last for a long time and affect how you cope with everyday life. If these symptoms continue to persist more than a month after traumatic event, they may be a sign of PTSD.

About 12 in every 100 Australians will experience PTSD at some time in their lives.

What causes PTSD?

PTSD can be caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. This could involve serious injury, sexual violence, a potentially life-threatening situation or death. It can also be caused by hearing about a traumatic event that happened to someone close to you.

Experiences that can potentially lead to PTSD include:

Although a relationship break-up or losing a job can feel devastating, these are not the type of events that cause PTSD.

Risk factors for PTSD

Anyone can develop PTSD, but some people are at a greater risk. Females are more likely to develop PTSD than males.

You are more likely to develop PTSD if you:

PTSD is not the only mental health disorder caused by experiencing traumatic events. Depression, psychosis, anxiety or eating disorders can also result from experiencing traumatic events.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

Everyone is affected differently by PTSD. Symptoms of PTSD usually start soon after the traumatic event, but sometimes they take several months to appear.

There are 4 types of PTSD symptoms.

Re-experiencing the trauma

Symptoms of this type include:

Avoidance

Symptoms of this type include:

Negative thoughts and mood

Symptoms of this type include:

Increased alertness

Symptoms of this type include:

PTSD in children and adolescents

Children and teenagers with PTSD may have similar symptoms to adults, but there can be some differences.

After experiencing trauma, children may:

Adolescents with PTSD may experience similar symptoms to adults, but they may also be more likely to:

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

When should I see my doctor?

If you or someone you know appears to be experiencing symptoms of PTSD that are affecting work, school or day-to-day activities for longer than 2 weeks after a traumatic event, it's important to talk to a doctor or other health professional. If you or someone you know are at a high risk of developing PTSD after a traumatic event, getting help early may help reduce this risk.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is PTSD diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and whether you have experienced any trauma, and if necessary, work with you to build a mental health treatment plan. This is a plan that maps out your treatment goals and includes the services and resources available to you.

Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist, who will ask you more about how your symptoms are affecting your life and how much support you have from family and friends. Fees may be higher than the Medicare rebate so it’s a good idea to ask about fees and out-of-pocket costs when you book your appointment.

PTSD may be diagnosed if you have a number of symptoms that are severe enough to interfere with your ability to function at work, socially or at home.

How is PTSD treated?

Many people have some symptoms of PTSD in the first couple of weeks after a traumatic event, but most recover on their own or with the help of family and friends.

For people whose symptoms last longer, PTSD can be treated with psychological therapies and sometimes medicines. Everyone experiences PTSD differently. Talk to your doctor or mental health professional to decide which treatment options might work best for you.

Psychological therapies for PTSD

Psychological therapies can help teach you how to deal with the traumatic memories and calm your anxiety. There are different types of therapies, including:

It may take between 8 and 12 sessions to get relief from symptoms.

You can also find an online PTSD treatment course at THIS WAY UP.

Medicines for PTSD

Medicine for PTSD may be recommended if your symptoms are more severe. It is often used together with psychological treatment.

The most useful medicines for PTSD are antidepressants. It can take time before they start to work. It’s important to be aware of the possible side effects and to maintain regular contact with a doctor or mental health practitioner while you’re taking these medicines.

LOOKING FOR A MEDICINE? — To search by brand name or active ingredient, use the Medicines information search feature.

Lifestyle measures

Other strategies that can help improve your mental health:

Supporting someone with PTSD

Research has shown that support from family and friends is important in helping someone recover from PTSD. In some cases, family members may need to seek support of their own.

Can PTSD be prevented?

If you or someone you know has experienced a traumatic event, you can help yourself or your loved one cope with the experience and recover from negative feelings.

Strategies which may be helpful:

Complications of PTSD

Without treatment, PTSD may become chronic and lead to other mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. The sooner treatment begins, the better.

Some people use alcohol or other substances to cope with traumatic memories, which can lead to substance abuse.

PTSD can make people isolated from relatives and friends. It can put great stress on families.

Resources and support

Lifeline is a 24-hour counselling, suicide prevention and mental health support service. Call 13 11 14 for crisis support.

If you need to talk to someone about your mental health, call Beyond Blue on 1300224636. They also offer information on PTSD behaviours, treatments and associated conditions.

Call Head to Health on 1800 595 212 for advice and to get connected to local mental health services. You can also visit the Head to Health website for information on trauma and PTSD.

Headspace provides mental health assistance for individuals aged 12 to 25 and provides fact sheets specific to young people.

The Australia Government offers resources and contacts for members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), veterans or their families to access support.

Other languages

You can find information about trauma in plain English and in languages other than English at Blue Knot.

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