Introduction

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an Generalised anxiety disorder disordercaused by very stressful,frightening or distressing events.

Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt.

They may also have problems sleeping, such as insomnia , and find concentrating difficult.

These symptoms are often severe andpersistent enough to have a significant impact on the persons day-to-day life.

It's often more severe if the trauma was experienced early in life as this can affect a child's development.

  • Psychotherapy such as trauma-focusedcognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)or eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).Find psychotherapy services near you .
  • Antidepressants such asparoxetine ormirtazapine.
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    Content supplied by the NHS Website

    Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 6 Dec 2016