The Sunday Mail
Being caught up in a traumatic event that is overwhelming, frightening and life-threatening can lead to PTSD
The symptoms usually start within a few weeks of the trauma, but they can start later
After the traumatic event, people can feel grief-stricken, depressed, anxious, guilty and angry
People may have flashbacks and nightmares
People may be “on guard” — staying alert all the time
Physical symptoms can be aches and pains, diarrhoea, irregular heartbeats, headaches, feelings of panic and fear, depression
People may start drinking too much alcohol or using drugs (including painkillers)
