DISORDER THAT CAN RUIN LIVES

PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by frightening or distressing events.

It can develop immediately or occur weeks, months or even years later. It is estimated to affect about one in three people who have a traumatic experience, but it is not clear why some people develop the condition and others do not.

Sufferers often relive the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt. They may also have insomnia and find concentrating difficult.

The type of events that can cause PTSD include road accidents, serious or sexual assault and witnessing violent death or natural disasters, such as floods or earthquakes.

Symptoms are often severe and persistent enough to have a ruinous impact on sufferers’ day-to-day life.

Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and how soon they occur after the event. It can include antidepressant medication.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is being successfully used by some doctors to treat mothers suffering from PTSD.

EMDR, which is used to break up traumatic memories using eye movements, is commonly used for returning soldiers and war veterans suffering from the disorder.