Post traumatic stress disorder (aka PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by a traumatic event occurring in a person's life, either through witnessing or experiencing the event. Traumatic events can happen at any age. The age a person is when a traumatic event happens does not impact the severity of symptoms or the likely hood of PTSD developing.

Most people who experience traumatic events can have difficulties adjusting to life after the event and struggle to cope with memories of the event. If these difficulties persist for long periods of time then it may be PTSD.

Symptoms of intrusive memories can include:

• Recurring, distressing memories and recollections of the traumatic event

• Reliving the traumatic event as if it was happening (also known as flashbacks)

• Distressing dreams/nightmares about the event

• Severe emotional and/or physical reactions to reminders of the events (also known as triggers)

Symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:

• Negative thoughts about yourself, other people or the world

• Feelings of hopelessness about the future

• Being unable to remember aspects of the traumatic event

• Feeling detached from those close to you

• Feelings of emotional numbness

• Difficulty experiencing positive emotions

Signs of a change in physical and emotional reactions may include:

• Being easily startled or frightened

• Always keeping your guard up and looking out for danger

• Substance abuse (drinking too much or taking drugs)

• Difficulty sleeping

• Trouble concentrating

• Increased irritability and/or aggressive behaviour

• Overwhelming guilt or shame (survivor's guilt)

Survivors guilt is when after a traumatic event that resulted in someone dying, those who survived may begin to wonder why they didn't die and start to feel guilt over surviving.

Symptoms of avoidance can look like:

• Going out of your way to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event

• Avoiding places, people or places that remind you of the event

Complex PTSD (sometimes shortened to CPTSD) is a condition where you go through similar experiences to PTSD, however, some of the experiences below are also experienced:

• Difficulty with controlling emotions

• Constant feelings of hopelessness

• Feeling as though you are permanently damaged by the traumatic event

• Avoiding close relationships and finding them difficult

• Regular feelings of Suicide

Complex PTSD is a new term used by mental health professionals and because of this, complex PTSD can sometimes be referred to as:

• Enduring personality change after the catastrophic experience (EPCACE)

• Disorders of extreme stress not otherwise specified (DESNOS)