Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be difficult to diagnose because people who experience traumatic events often don't want to talk about their feelings.
Also, people with PTSD may not seek treatment for many months or years after their symptoms appear.
Signs of PTSD
You may develop PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event, such as a terrorist attack or serious road traffic accident. The typical signs of PTSD are:
- having vivid memories, flashbacks or nightmares about the event
- trying to avoid things that remind you of the event
- sometimes feeling emotionally numb
- often feeling irritable and anxious for no apparent reason
- eating more than usual, or drinking alcohol or using drugs more than usual
- an inability to control your mood
- finding it increasingly difficult to get on with others
- having to keep yourself very busy to cope
- feeling depressed or exhausted
When to seek medical advice
If it is less than six weeks since you experienced the traumatic event and your symptoms are starting to improve, you may be going through the natural coping process and may not need to have any treatment.
However, visit your GP to discuss your feelings if your symptoms haven't improved more than six weeks after the traumatic event took place.
PTSD affects everyone differently, so your GP will want to discuss your symptoms with you in as much detail as possible.
Your GP will ask you whether you have experienced a traumatic event, either in the recent or distant past, and whether you have re-experienced the event through flashbacks or nightmares.
They may also ask you about your overall health and whether you are having any sleeping problems.
