Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD )

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological and physical condition that can be caused by extremely frightening or distressing events, such as military combat, natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist attacks, violent deaths, and personal assaults, such as rape, or other situations in which the person felt extreme fear, horror, or helplessness.

It affects around 5% of men and 10% of women some time in their life and can happen at any age. About 40% of people with PTSD develop it as a result of someone close to them suddenly dying.

Someone with PTSD often relives the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, and has difficulty concentrating and sleeping, feeling isolated and detached. from life. These symptoms can be lasting and severe enough to impair the person's daily life significantly.

Symptoms usually develop immediately or within three months of a traumatic event but, occasionally, they do not begin until years later.

PTSD has been called shell shock or battle fatigue syndrome because it first came to prominence in the First World War, with soldiers' memories of the trenches. Now, it is recognised that traumatic events outside conflict situations can have similar effects.

This text gives an overview into the conditions an IAPT service will treat.  It has been prepared here for you to use as you see fit in your locally produced materials.

All material has been taken from NHS Choices and is therefore nationally approved at the time of this toolkit’s publication.  More in depth and up to date information can be found online at NHS Choices www.nhs.uk

The Information Prescription Service available on NHS Choices is an excellent service covering the many different aspects of depression and anxiety disorders.

NHS Choices online: www.nhs.uk