When we think of PTSD we think of the men and women who have fought within the British Armed Forces but they are not the only ones to suffer. PTSD UK refer to PTSD as “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is essentially a memory filing error caused by a traumatic event” and that is what it is, a reaction to a traumatic event.
You do not have had to have been to Bagdad or to Kabul to have experienced a traumatic event, It’s estimated that 50% of people will experience a trauma at some point in their life. The defining characteristic of a traumatic event is its capacity to provoke fear, helplessness, or horror in response to the threat of injury or death and therefore can affect anyone. Examples of traumatic events include assault, road traffic accident, natural disasters, domestic and child abuse, war, acts of terrorism and traumatic childbirth.
We have nothing but respect for those who have served but we also understand the need to raise awareness of the condition will hopefully allow those who have served to be given more understanding by others and to allow civilians to understand that they may know someone who is suffering or that they may be suffering themselves.
If you need help then please reach out to a loved one or an organisation such as Samaritans, who will help you take the next step forward.
