One in 13 young people in England and Wales experiences post-traumatic stress disorder by the age of 18.
A study of more than 2,000 18-year-olds found nearly a third had experienced trauma in childhood. A quarter of these then developed PTSD which can cause insomnia, flashbacks and feelings of isolation. Researchers say many young people not getting the help they need and this study should be a ‘wake-up call’.
The study found that just over half of those who had PTSD had also experienced a major depressive episode and one in five attempted suicide. Only one in five had been seen by mental health professionals in the past year.
Lead researcher Dr Stephanie Lewis, from the Medical Research Council, said: “Providing effective treatments early on could prevent mental health problems continuing into adulthood.”
Participants in the study were judged to have had PTSD only if they had the following symptoms for at least a month:
- irritability, impulsivity or difficulty concentrating
- reliving traumatic events through distressing memories or nightmares
- avoiding anything reminding them of their trauma
- feelings of guilt, isolation or detachment
Experiences of childhood trauma included assault, injury or an event that had affected someone they knew but they had not directly witnessed.
Senior researcher Prof Andrea Danese, from the King’s College London Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, said: “Our findings should serve as a wake-up call.
“Childhood trauma is a public-health concern – yet trauma-related disorders often go unnoticed.
“Young people with PTSD are falling through the gaps in care and there is a pressing need for better access to mental health services.”
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing event. Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt. They may also have problems sleeping such as insomnia and find concentrating difficult. These symptoms are often severe and persistent enough to have a significant impact on the person’s day to day life.
Any situation that a person finds traumatic can cause PTSD.
These can include:
- serious road accidents
- violent personal assaults, such as sexual assault, mugging or robbery
- a traumatic birth
PTSD can develop immediately after someone experiences a disturbing event or it can occur weeks, months or even years later.
Re-experiencing is the most typical symptom of PTSD, it is when someone relives the traumatic event in the form of:
- flashbacks
- nightmares
- repetitive and distressing images or sensations
- physical sensations, such as pain, sweating, feeling sick or trembling
Some people will have constant negative thoughts about their experience, repeatedly asking themselves questions that prevent them coming to terms with the events.
Avoidance and emotional numbing is another symptom, many will try to avoid being reminded of the traumatic event. This means avoiding certain people or places that remind them of the trauma, or avoiding talking to anyone about their experience. Some people attempt to deal with their feelings by trying not to feel anything at all. This is known as emotional numbing.
Someone with PTSD may be very anxious and find it difficult to relax. They may be constantly aware of threats and easily startled; this is known as hyperarousal. Hyperarousal often leads to:
- irritability
- angry outbursts
- sleeping problems (insomnia)
- difficulty concentrating
Many people with PTSD also have a number of other problems, including:
- other mental health problems – such as depression, anxiety or phobias
- self-harming or destructive behaviour – such as drug misuse or alcohol misuse
- other physical symptoms – such as headaches, dizziness, chest pains and stomach aches
PTSD sometimes leads to work-related problems and the breakdown of relationships.
PTSD can be successfully treated even when it develops many years after a traumatic event. Any treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and how soon they occur after the traumatic event.
Any of the following treatments options may be recommended:
- watchful waiting
- antidepressants
- psychological therapies.
