By Carol Goh
Ready to talk to someone about PTSD? Book an appointment, contact us, or WhatsApp us for a quicker response. Related reads: EMDR, Psychotherapy, Conquer Anxiety.
While most people have been through a rough patch in their lives, a traumatic event is much more severe. Traumatic experiences are marked by a sense of helplessness, fear or threat. Whether physical or emotional, these experiences can leave an individual feeling deeply unsafe.
What is post-traumatic stress disorder?
Following a traumatic event, it is normal to experience reactions such as feeling unbalanced, disconnected or suspicious of those around you. For most people, these feelings are short-lived.
If these feelings do not fade over time, an individual might be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—an anxiety disorder that develops after trauma. Instead of making progress each day, someone with PTSD may start to feel worse.
Causes of PTSD
The events that cause PTSD vary from person to person. Some are one-off and unexpected; others may be expected and dreaded (e.g., repeated exposure among emergency service personnel).
Examples include:
- Being involved in an accident
- Physical or sexual assault
- Emotional abuse
- Bullying, harassment or ostracism
- Witnessing another person being hurt
- Losing a loved one in upsetting circumstances
- Being diagnosed with a life-threatening health condition
Symptoms of PTSD
People with PTSD often relive the event via vivid flashbacks or nightmares. Memories can re-emerge through any of the five senses, sometimes with body sensations such as trembling, sweating, or nausea. It may feel as if the events are happening again, triggering intense fear.
Other common features:
- Feeling on edge and constantly scanning for danger (hypervigilance)
- Difficulty relaxing; trouble falling or staying asleep
- Irritability or aggressive behaviour
- Avoidance of reminders; trying not to think or talk about the event and appearing emotionless
- Additional anxiety symptoms
Despite attempts to avoid them, symptoms often reappear via triggers or dreams. Seeking professional help is important.
PTSD recovery
In some cases, symptoms are so severe and persistent that they significantly impact daily life. Recovery is gradual. Memories may not disappear completely, but you can regain control and reduce their impact—especially with a qualified professional trained in trauma therapy.
In therapy, we explore your thoughts and feelings about the trauma, then work to desensitise fear and anxiety so the memories no longer dominate your day-to-day life. Techniques that are especially effective for PTSD include:
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) — see EMDR
- Schema Therapy for deep-seated beliefs (“I’m unsafe,” “It was my fault”)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and skills for grounding, sleep, and daily coping
- Gestalt and visualisation where appropriate
Learn more about how we tailor modalities in Psychotherapy.
Take the next step
If PTSD is affecting your life, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
- Book an appointment or contact us
- Prefer texting? WhatsApp us for a quicker response
The information in this article is for educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
