Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that manifests following exposure to some traumatic experience. The trauma may have been a once-off incident such as a hijacking or repeated incidents over time like sexual abuse.

What are the signs and symptoms of PTSD?

Symptoms of stress are a normal reaction, however, when these symptoms persist over time, feel unmanageable, and significantly affect normal functioning such as day-to-day ability to spend time with family or grocery shopping, then seeking professional help is necessary.

Symptoms of PTSD include:

• Being easily startled Feeling ‘jumpy’ or on edge
• Experiencing flashbacks of the traumatic experience
• Nightmares about the traumatic experience
• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• Feeling detached from others
• Feeling extremely irritable Panic attacks