What is post-traumatic stress disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness. You can develop it after experiencing something that you find traumatic. This can includes seeing or hearing about something traumatic.  

Going through something ‘traumatic’ means that it frightens or distresses you. 

The symptoms of PTSD can start immediately or after a delay of weeks or months. They usually start within 6 months of the traumatic event. 

There can be lots of different symptoms. Not everyone who has been through a trauma will develop PTSD. Many people will have some trauma symptoms for a while. They are a normal reaction to a traumatic experience. Read about symptoms of PTSD.

Some people slowly come to terms with what has happened. Their stress symptoms can start to disappear after a few weeks or so. Read about how to cope with stress.

But some people’s symptoms last longer and they can develop PTSD. 

Treatment can help you to recover fully from PTSD or manage the symptoms better. Read about treatment for PTSD. 

How common is PTSD?

The NHS say that PTSD is thought to affect about 1 in every 3 people who have a traumatic experience. But it is not clear exactly why some people develop the condition and others do not.