Post-traumatic stress disorder

If you are involved in a traumatic event, or see one, you may feel distress after the event. For many people this distress does not last long or lead to issues. But if your distress continues for a longer period and affects your daily life, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

On this page

Causes of PTSD

You can develop PTSD after seeing, or being involved in, a traumatic event. Events that can trigger PTSD include:

  • natural disasters
  • physical or sexual harm, or other forms of violence and abuse
  • combat
  • other serious events.

Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD. And not all cases of PTSD are caused by a traumatic event.

PTSD is more common in women than men.

Symptoms of PTSD

There are many symptoms of PTSD. These usually begin within a few months of the event but they may develop much later. You may find at times that they are more severe. You may not experience all the symptoms of PTSD.

Re-experiencing

  • You may have flashbacks where you relive the event. This can include physical symptoms of distress such as an increased heart rate and sweating.
  • Recurring memories, or dreams related to the event.
  • Distressing thoughts and physical symptoms of stress.

Avoidance

  • You might avoid situations, people or places that remind you of the traumatic event.
  • You might avoid thinking or talking about the event.

Changes in thinking and mood

  • You might experience negative thoughts about yourself and other people.
  • You might feel guilt, anger, shame or ongoing fear.
  • You might lose interest in things you enjoyed before the event.
  • You might find that you feel isolated and have difficulty feeling positive.

Changes in physical and emotional reactions

  • You might feel irritable, angry, or show self-destructive behaviour.
  • You might be easily startled, have difficulty sleeping and have difficulty concentrating.
  • You might notice physical symptoms when you are reminded about the trauma, such as sweating, trembling and feeling sick.

You should not start, or increase, the use of alcohol and other drugs to help with poor sleep or to cope in general.

In a crisis

If you, or someone you know, needs immediate help you can either:

Diagnosing PTSD

If your symptoms have not got better after a month, talk to your healthcare provider.

To diagnose PTSD they will need to:

  • evaluate your mental health
  • review your symptoms
  • talk to you about the impact on your daily life
  • talk to you about alcohol and other drug use
  • talk to you about your medical history
  • ask you about the traumatic event.

Treating PTSD

The main treatment for PTSD is talking therapy. Your healthcare provider will likely refer you to a mental health professional for treatment.

More information about treatment options is on the Mental Health Foundation website.

Treatment options — Mental Health Foundationexternal link

Self care for PTSD

It is important to look after yourself when you have PTSD.

  • Get enough sleep.
  • Eat well.
  • Be physically active.
  • Talk with whānau and friends.
  • Draw or journal about your experience and feelings.
  • Join a support group.

Community support groups — Mental Health Foundationexternal link

There are several apps that can be useful. Some have been reviewed by Healthify.

PTSD coach — Healthifyexternal link