PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a severely traumatic event. Common trigger events include combat, sexual or physical assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, life-threatening medical diagnosis or the sudden death or disappearance of a loved one. In some case, school-based trauma can have similar effects to the experience of combat.
Not everyone exposed to trauma develops PTSD and factors such as strong social support and effective coping strategies reduce risk. Understanding these factors is essential for effective intervention.
Individuals with repeated exposure to trauma, including family members and those working with traumatised people, are at higher risk.
For information on PTSD in adopted children, go to:
Information on PTSD in neurodivergent people is available from:
https://www.autism.org.uk/learn/knowledge-hub/professional-practice/ptsd-autism
The young people we work with may have experienced trauma that is documented and shared. There may be trauma that they choose not to share with us. Especially in the case of care experienced young people, they may have experienced trauma that no one knows about and at such a young age that even they are not conscious of having experienced it. Nevertheless, in all of these cases, they may experience various symptoms and triggers.
Individuals with PTSD often experience intrusive thoughts related to the traumatic event. They may experience flashbacks, with a feeling of reliving the trauma, or unwelcome memories that come to mind without warning. They may engage in avoidance behaviours, consciously avoiding people, places, activities and anything that may remind them of the trauma, including thoughts and feelings, which may lead to isolation and delay healing.
Negative changes in thoughts and mood are another symptom of PTSD. Persistent negative beliefs about oneself and others, feelings of guilt or blame and reduced interest in things one used to enjoy can lead to emotional distress and difficulty engaging in social interactions.
PTSD can cause hyperarousal, where the person is constantly on edge and hypervigilant, and struggles with sleep and concentration. This hypervigilant state can mean that the person is easily triggered to fight or flight, leading to irritable and aggressive behaviour.
Many individuals with PTSD experience emotional numbing, where they feel detached from their feelings or have difficulty experiencing positive emotions. This can lead them to feel disconnection from family and friends, and to lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed.
When working with young people and families whose experience of trauma is continuing, it is important to create a safe, non-coercive space, both physically and psychologically, where they are supported to reconnect and recover. We offer opportunities for young people to reconnect to joy and to a sense of their physicality through body-based and creative activities.