HD Psychology   

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the ongoing sense of threat following a traumatic event in which a person felt that their life or bodily integrity was in danger. In cases of PTSD, the sense of threat continues well beyond the end of actual danger, and can continue for years after the event. It can often be characterised by vivid memories of the event and accompanied feelings replaying in the person’s mind, which can be onset by emotional triggers or reminders of the event.

PTSD can be characterised by various symptoms that are split into four groups:

• Re-experiencing symptoms
• Arousal symptoms
• Avoidance symptoms
• Negative thoughts and mood

Where it is not uncommon for those who experience traumatic life events to feel shocked, scared, guilty, ashamed, angry, or vulnerable after the event, those who suffer from PTSD often experience reoccurring feelings associated with the event over a long period of time, which may result in the onset of other mental health conditions, such as depression, insomnia, and/or other forms of anxiety. These feelings and memories associated with traumatic life events may be prompted by emotional triggers which remind the individual of the traumatic experience.