Health topic

PTSD and Complex PTSD: Symptoms, Treatment and Support

Frightening or overwhelming experiences can keep affecting daily life long after they are over. This guide explains how to recognise post-traumatic stress, the professional help available, ways of coping and how to support someone you care about. It is general information, not a diagnosis.

Information checked October 2026

I need urgent help now

If someone is in immediate danger, is seriously injured, has taken an overdose or cannot keep themselves safe, call 999 or go to A&E now.

In England, for urgent mental-health help that is not an emergency, call NHS 111 and choose the mental-health option.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, urgent routes differ. Use your nation's official NHS service below rather than the England route.

Samaritans — free, day or night: 116 123.

NHS — urgent mental health help (England)NHS inform — Scotland NHS 111 Wales nidirect mental health — Northern Ireland Contact Samaritans

Understanding PTSD

What PTSD is and how it can show

Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop after an event that felt threatening or overwhelming — such as a serious accident, an assault or abuse, a traumatic birth, a serious illness, war, or repeated exposure to distressing situations at work. It is not something that only affects people who have served in the armed forces.

Signs that may be part of PTSD

Flashbacks, nightmares or unwanted memories that feel vivid and present
Avoiding people, places or conversations that bring the event back
Feeling numb, cut off or unable to feel close to others
Trouble sleeping or concentrating
Irritability or angry outbursts
Feeling constantly on guard or easily startled

These difficulties can start soon after an event, or not until months or even years later.

Children and young people

Children may show distress differently — for example by replaying the event through play, or by going back to behaviour they had grown out of, such as bedwetting or clinginess.

If you are worried about yourself or someone else, speak to a GP. If distress is severe, you do not need to wait — use the urgent help routes above.

NHS — PTSD

Complex PTSD

What complex PTSD means

Complex PTSD (sometimes written CPTSD) may develop after trauma that was repeated or went on for a long time, particularly where getting away felt difficult or impossible — for example ongoing abuse.

Alongside the difficulties seen in PTSD, a person may find it hard to manage strong emotions, carry deep feelings of shame or low self-worth, and struggle with trust and relationships.

It is a different pattern of difficulties, not simply a label for "more severe" PTSD. A specialist assessment may be needed, and treatment may take longer and be tailored more carefully.

Mind — complex PTSD

Professional help

Treatments that may be offered

Trauma-focused CBT

A talking therapy that helps you work through traumatic memories and the beliefs that formed around them.

EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing)

A therapist guides you through processing distressing memories in a structured way.

Medication

Medicine may be discussed depending on your needs and preferences. Never change or stop a medicine without speaking to the person who prescribed it.

Active monitoring

Where symptoms are mild and recent, a clinician may suggest watching how things go with a planned follow-up. This should include a clear review — not being left without support.

Questions you could ask a clinician

What treatment options are there for me?
What experience does the therapist have with trauma?
How many appointments might there be, and how often?
What support is there between sessions?
What happens if the treatment is not helping?

Mind — treatment for PTSD

Coping day to day

Coping, including during flashbacks

If you are safe right now and having a flashback

Remind yourself where you are and today's date
Press your feet into the floor
Name or describe things you can see around you
Hold a familiar object with a texture you find comforting
Breathe gently and comfortably, only if that helps you

Stop any technique that makes you feel worse.

Everyday steps that may help

Make a coping plan with your therapist if you have one
Keep regular, manageable routines, including meals and some activity
Stay in touch with someone you trust
Try not to rely on alcohol or drugs to cope

Do not try to force yourself to relive or confront trauma alone. Self-care can sit alongside treatment, but it is not a substitute for it.

Mind — self-care for PTSD

Friends, family and carers

Supporting someone with PTSD

Listen at their pace, and never press for details of what happened
Ask before touching them
During a flashback, stay calm, give them space and gently remind them where they are now
Offer practical help, such as booking or going to appointments, if they want it
When things are calm, ask what kind of support they would find helpful

Supporting someone can be draining. It is reasonable to keep your own boundaries and to look for support for yourself too.

Mind — helping someone with PTSD

Getting help

How to access help across the UK

England

Adults aged 18 or over can usually refer themselves to NHS Talking Therapies (in some areas from 16 or 17). You do not need a diagnosis first. If you are unsure, speak to your GP.

Find NHS Talking Therapies

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

The England self-referral service does not cover the rest of the UK. Speak to your GP or local NHS mental health service, and use your nation's official information.

NHS inform — Scotland NHS 111 Wales nidirect — Northern Ireland

Children and young people

Speak to a GP, who can refer to children and young people's mental health services. Where it feels safe, a trusted adult can help.

Before your appointment — a short checklist

How the difficulties affect your sleep, work and relationships
How long they have been going on
Any medicines you currently take
What kind of help you would like

You can bring written notes or a trusted person with you, and you can ask for a break during the appointment.