HOW TO BE HEALTHY 50 + AT I STILL GET FLASHBACKS TO WHEN I WAS ATTACKED

Post-traumatic stress disorder can be triggered by any major incident

QALast year I was at home, when we were burgled. Unfortunately I woke up and went downstairs and was assaulted by the robbers. I was found on the floor the next morning by my daughter who popped in with the shopping, and went to hospital. It was nine months ago now but I am still genuinely terrified – I can’t stop thinking about what happened, it just pops into my head all the time and I go over and over the robbery in my head. I just want to move on with my life. What can I do? Oh, I am so, so sorry to hear what you have been through. It must have

WITH FAMILY DOCTOR

PHILIPPA KAYE

been hugely traumatic, frightening and stressful.

To have a reaction to this would be entirely normal and expected. However as your symptoms have persisted, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

People often think about PTSD in relation to veterans returning from war, or similar events. However it can occur after any significant stressor in your life, and the burglary and events which took place cer tainly could have triggered the condition.

Other common triggers can include an episode of ill health, a serious road traffic accident or childbir th.

Symptoms of PTSD including recurrent and often intrusive thoughts, memories and flashbacks of the incident or trauma. People repor t avoiding situations which may trigger these memories, though this is obviously more difficult when it occurred in your house.

You may then experience anxiety, low mood, depression and insomnia or be more irritable than previously.

Please do go and see your GP. Your symptoms are really affecting your quality of life and your GP will take them seriously.

You may be offered talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, to help with your symptoms. Or if you have depression or anxiety, then medications can be useful. Good luck.