PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event

​This can be an accident, assault, natural disaster
​or any situation that felt life-threatening or deeply distressing

When is PTSD diagnosed?

PTSD is diagnosed through a clinical assessment, where your symptoms, history, and experiences are explored with care and sensitivity

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A diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) means that a person is experiencing four core types of symptoms:

1. Intrusive memories such as recurring thoughts, flashbacks or vivid nightmares
   
   These reminders of the event trigger intense emotional or physical reactions, such as fear, panic, sweating, or a racing heart.
   
   
   
2. Avoiding reminders of the trauma
   
   Trying not to think or talk about what happened, or pushing away feelings about it.
   
   Staying away from people, places and situations that remind you of the trauma.
   
   Avoidance causes you to feel numb, empty or detached.
   
   
   
3. Negative changes in thoughts or mood
   
   Changes in thoughts include developing beliefs such as "I'm broken", "the world is unsafe", and "something bad is going to happen to me". 
   
   Changes in mood include fear, sadness, anger, guilt, shame, flatness or emotional numbness, and often lead to social isolation.
   
   
   
4. Hyperarousal
   
   Being easily startled, on edge, having difficulty concentrating or trouble sleeping.
   
   Being more irritable and short-tempered with others.
   
   Being on the lookout for any signs of danger.

While it's normal to feel shaken after a traumatic experience,

PTSD occurs when those reactions don't fade over time and begin to interfere with daily life

The good news is there is treatment for PTSD

International studies have shown that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments available for PTSD. We draw on a range of evidence-based treatments, with CBT for PTSD forming the foundation for treatment.

You can seek help for PTSD even if the trauma occurred a long time ago. There is no time limit on these feelings, but the sooner you get support, the sooner you can start to feel better. 

This treatment helps you: 
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• Understand how trauma affects your mind and body
  
  
• Learn skills to manage distressing thoughts and emotions
  
  
• Gradually and safely process the traumatic memories
  
  
• Rebuild a sense of safety, control and self-worth​
  

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LEARN MORE ABOUT TREATMENT FOR PTSD

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