PTSD symptoms: what to look out for and when to get help
If you’re struggling after a traumatic experience, understanding the symptoms of PTSD can be the first step towards getting the support you need.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a recognised, treatable mental health condition that’s caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as an assault, serious accident or natural disaster.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 70% of people globally will experience a potentially traumatic event of this kind during their lifetime. 5.6% will go on to develop PTSD, making it a relatively common condition.
It's natural to feel distressed or ‘shaken’ after trauma. Many people will experience temporary emotional responses as a result of traumatic events. If these responses become long-lasting and disruptive to daily life, it might be time to seek support for possible PTSD.
Help is available, so if you recognise any of the symptoms of PTSD in yourself or others, consider checking in with your GP or a mental health professional.
The four main PTSD symptom clusters and their symptoms
Although flashbacks are the most commonly-known symptom of PTSD, it can also affect your thoughts, emotions, behaviour and physical responses.
PTSD symptoms are grouped into four categories. You may experience symptoms from one or more of these categories, as they often overlap.
1. Intrusive memories
Intrusive memories are unwanted, distressing thoughts or feelings related to the traumatic event.
Symptoms of intrusive memories could include:
- Flashbacks that feel like reliving the trauma
- Nightmares or vivid dreams
- Sudden distress triggered by sounds, smells or places
- Intense distress when you’re reminded of the traumatic event
These symptoms happen because the trauma can feel as though it’s still happening in the present moment.
2. Avoidance
Avoidance means trying to block out trauma-related thoughts, or staying away from things that bring up reminders of what happened.
Symptoms of avoidance could include:
- Avoiding thoughts, feelings or conversations about the traumatic event
- Avoiding places, people or activities that are reminders of the trauma
- Refusing to talk about what happened
- Withdrawing from social situations or relationships
While avoidance offers some short-term relief, it can delay your recovery from PTSD.
3. Negative changes in thoughts and mood
This cluster involves changes to thoughts and mood, such as ongoing negative beliefs, feelings of guilt, or emotional numbness.
These symptoms reflect the lasting emotional and cognitive impacts of the trauma. They include:
- Persistent negative thoughts about yourself, others or the world
- Feeling detached or estranged from others
- Inability to experience positive emotions, like happiness or love
- Ongoing feelings of guilt, shame or blame
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Memory problems, especially about the traumatic event
4. Changes in physical and emotional reactions (hyperarousal)
Symptoms in this cluster include hypervigilance (heightened alertness and sensitivity to potential threats), irritability or sleep disturbances.
These symptoms reflect the body’s heightened stress response and could include:
- Being easily startled or frightened
- Feeling tense or ‘on edge’
- Having difficulty sleeping
- Having angry outbursts or irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Engaging in reckless or self-destructive behaviour
All of the symptoms listed above across the four clusters are common in people with PTSD. It’s important to recognise them as symptoms of PTSD as this is the first step toward getting help.
Recognising how PTSD symptoms can vary
PTSD doesn’t look the same for everyone. While symptoms tend to fall into the four groups above, how these symptoms actually show up can be very different from person-to-person.
Symptoms can vary in intensity, frequency and how much they affect daily life. Some people experience constant symptoms, while others may have occasional flare-ups, triggered by stress or reminders of the trauma.
Here are a few examples of how PTSD symptoms might show up differently:
- One person may seem irritable and withdrawn, struggling with angry outbursts and keeping others at a distance
- Another might appear highly functional, holding down a job and managing all their responsibilities. In private, they may suffer from nightmares or panic attacks
- Someone else may avoid certain places or people, without fully understanding why. They may feel emotionally numb or disconnected from life
It’s also important to know that symptoms don’t always appear right away. Delayed onset PTSD can occur months or even years after the traumatic event. It’s also common for symptoms to come and go over time.
Seeking support
Recognising the symptoms of PTSD or CPTSD is an important first step. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, remember that support and treatment are available. With the right help, recovery is possible.
PTSD symptoms in children and young people
PTSD doesn’t just affect adults. Children and teenagers can also develop symptoms after experiencing or witnessing distressing events like abuse, accidents, the loss of a loved one, violence, neglect or other frightening experiences.
While young people can show some of the same signs as adults (for example, nightmares, sleep disturbances or hypervigilance), their symptoms often show up in age-specific ways, especially through behaviour and physical complaints.
What PTSD might look like in children
In younger children, PTSD symptoms can be harder to recognise and may include:
- Re-enacting the trauma through repetitive play or drawing
- Becoming clingy, fearful or anxious without an obvious cause
- Regression such as bedwetting, thumb-sucking or trouble speaking
- Frequent stomach aches or headaches with no medical cause
- Being easily startled or frightened
- Avoiding certain people, places or activities without obvious reason
What PTSD might look like in teenagers
Teenagers may show symptoms that overlap with both younger children and adults, but can also include:
- Irritability, anger or aggressive outbursts
- Risk-taking behaviours, including substance use
- Avoidance of school, friends or social situations
- Expressing shame, guilt or a sense of detachment
- Feeling hopeless or emotionally numb
- Difficulties with concentration or academic performance
Children and teens might show these symptoms as a response to trauma, often without fully understanding or being able to express what they’re feeling – but these signs can indicate that professional help is needed.
Early intervention can make a big difference in a young person’s ability to recover and thrive. Recognising the signs of PTSD is the first step towards helping them feel safe, understood and supported.
When to seek help and what to do next
It’s normal to feel unsure or question whether what you're experiencing counts as PTSD. Noticing that something isn’t right is an important first step.
If symptoms are ongoing, getting worse or starting to affect your daily life, it’s a good idea to seek help.
Speak to a GP or mental health professional if:
- Symptoms last longer than a month after the traumatic event
- They’re interfering with sleep, relationships, work or day-to-day life
- You’re feeling increasingly overwhelmed
- You’re also struggling with depression, anxiety or substance use
- You’re experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide
It doesn’t matter if the trauma was recent or happened a long time ago – recovery is possible. There are effective treatments for PTSD, including talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), medication, or a mix of both.
Up to 40% of people with PTSD recover within 1 year and many more go on to see significant improvement. Start by speaking to your GP or a mental health professional who can help with diagnosis and guide you to the right support.
If you’re concerned about someone you care about, consider gently checking in with them. Let them know you’ve noticed they’re struggling and offer to help them find support or go with them to an appointment. Your support can make a big difference.