TaperCareby FeelGround
Integrative mental health
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Trauma & stress

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Also called PTSD, Trauma

Ongoing re-experiencing, avoidance and a sense of current threat after a frightening or traumatic event.

Symptoms used to diagnose

The ruleAfter exposure to a traumatic event, symptoms from all four clusters lasting more than 1 month.

Core symptoms

  • Intrusions: flashbacks, nightmares, distressing memories
  • Avoidance of reminders
  • Negative changes in thoughts and mood
  • Arousal: hypervigilance, startle, sleep problems

Other symptoms

  • Blame of self or others
  • Persistent fear, horror, guilt or shame
  • Feeling detached from others
  • Unable to feel positive emotions
  • Irritability or anger
  • Reckless behaviour
  • Poor concentration

How diagnosis works

  • Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence.
  • Re-experiencing (flashbacks, nightmares), avoidance of reminders, negative changes in mood/thinking, and hyperarousal (jumpiness, poor sleep).

A diagnosis is made by a qualified clinician after a full assessment — this summary is to help you understand it, not to self-diagnose.

Commonly used medications

Sertraline →Paroxetine →Venlafaxine →Fluoxetine →

Therapies & support

  • Trauma-focused CBT
  • EMDR
  • Cognitive processing therapy

Good to know

  • Trauma-focused therapy is the first-line treatment; benzodiazepines are not recommended.

Sources

  1. 01
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    The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines

    Horowitz & Taylor, Wiley-Blackwell, 2024