PTSD is not the same as the trauma caused by an on-going experience in childhood of abuse and or neglect but it may indeed co-occur with Developmental Trauma.
PTSD develops following a stressful event or situation of an exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature, which is likely to cause pervasive distress in almost anyone. PTSD does not therefore develop following those upsetting situations that are described as 'traumatic' in everyday language, for example, divorce, loss of job, or failing an exam. PTSD is a disorder that can affect people of all ages. Around 25–30% of people experiencing a traumatic event may go on to develop PTSD.
The most characteristic symptoms of PTSD are:
- Re-experiencing symptoms: e.g. flashbacks, nightmares; and repetitive and distressing intrusive images or other sensory impressions from the event. Reminders of the traumatic event arouse intense distress and/or physiological reactions. In children, re-experiencing symptoms may take the form of re-enacting the experience, repetitive play or frightening dreams without recognisable content.
- Avoidance of reminders of the trauma: e.g. people with PTSD often try to push memories of the event out of their mind and avoid thinking or talking about it. On the other hand, many people ruminate excessively about the trauma.
- Hyperarousal: e.g. hypervigilance for threat, exaggerated startle responses, irritability and difficulty concentrating, and sleep problems.
- Emotional numbing: e.g. the lack of ability to experience feelings, feeling detached from other people, giving up previously significant activities, and amnesia for significant parts of the event.
Symptoms of PTSD often develop immediately after the traumatic event but in some (less than 15% of all sufferers) the onset of symptoms may be delayed.
Adapted from
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence)
