Understanding PTSD

Most people will experience a traumatic or highly distressing event at some point in their lives. This might include a serious accident, assault, natural disaster, medical trauma, military service, or witnessing harm to someone else. It is normal to experience emotional distress, anxiety, sleep difficulties, or intrusive memories in the days and weeks following such an event. For many people, these reactions gradually lessen as the brain processes what has happened.

For some individuals, however, these symptoms persist long after the event has ended. When trauma-related symptoms continue for more than one month and begin to significantly interfere with daily life, relationships, or work, a person may meet the criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

PTSD is a recognised mental health condition that can develop following exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, sexual or non violence. Importantly, developing PTSD is not a sign of weakness. It reflects the way the brain and body respond to overwhelming experiences, and it can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. PTSD does not discriminate!

What does PTSD look like?

PTSD affects people differently, but symptoms generally fall into four main areas:

Re-experiencing the trauma: This may include unwanted memories, vivid flashbacks, or distressing nightmares. Some people feel as though they are reliving the event, while others experience intense emotional or physical reactions when reminded of what happened.

Avoidance: Individuals may avoid people, places, conversations, thoughts, or activities that remind them of the trauma. While avoidance can reduce distress in the short term, it often prevents the brain from fully processing the experience.

Changes in mood and thinking: PTSD can lead to persistent feelings of fear, guilt, shame, anger, or sadness. Some people develop negative beliefs about themselves or the world, such as “I’m not safe,” “It was my fault,” or “People can’t be trusted.” Others may feel detached from loved ones or lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.

Feeling constantly on alert: Many people with PTSD experience hypervigilance, feeling constantly watchful for danger. They may startle easily, struggle with sleep, find it difficult to concentrate, or feel irritable and on edge.

It is important to remember that not everyone with PTSD experiences the same symptoms, and that the severity can and normally does vary over time.

Why does PTSD develop?

Following a traumatic event, the brain usually works to organise and integrate memories into our broader life story. In PTSD, this natural processing process can become disrupted. Instead of feeling like something that happened in the past, traumatic memories can remain vivid and emotionally charged, causing the brain and body to respond as though the threat is still present. This is why reminders of the trauma, yes, even those that seem unrelated, can trigger intense emotional and physical reactions. It is important to remember that two people can experience the same event and respond very differently. Factors such as previous life experiences, available support, genetics, and the nature of the trauma all influence how someone recovers.

When should I seek help?

If you have experienced a traumatic event and continue to experience distressing symptoms that persist for more than a month, or if they are interfering with your daily life, it may be helpful to speak with a psychologist. Seeking support early does not mean your reactions are abnormal. In fact, early intervention can reduce the likelihood of symptoms becoming more persistent and can help you regain a sense of safety, confidence, and control.

Now repeat after me “Recovery from trauma is possible”!

With the right support and evidence-based treatment, many people find that traumatic memories become less distressing, daily life feels more manageable, and they are able to reconnect with the things that matter most.

At Integral Psychology, our clinicians are trained in evidence-based treatments for PTSD, including trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR. If you would like to learn more about PTSD or discuss whether trauma therapy may be right for you, we welcome you to reach out to our team.

By Jasmine Sutton

Provisional Psychologist – Integral Psychology