PTSD comfort ...in a ribbon

A SPECIAL ribbon worn round the neck can help people who fear the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder in crowded places by alerting the public to their condition. More than a million suffer the mental health condition, characterised by disturbing flashbacks, nightmares and panic attacks linked to a previous traumatic experience.

One of the most common environments to suffer a panic attack is a crowded public place such as a supermarket or railway station. It is hoped sufferers who wear the new ribbon, which carries the letters ‘PTSD’ in bold and is backed by charity Sapper Support, will be given the appropriate help in an emergency.

Anthony Cowburn, 50, from Weymouth, who suffered severe PTSD after a 30-year career in Army combat, described the ribbon as a ‘comfort blanket’.