Post traumatic stress affects those who have experienced, witnessed or been confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others.  For the individual, the aftermath of an event can continue to be difficult - even if the person concerned suffered no injury.

 

The person may have been involved or have been an onlooker. Afterwards, there is often a feeling that events are happening again - either feeling as if it is actually happening or having a recall of the incident going over and over in the head. An inability to concentrate may follow and disturbed sleep is common. The person may have dreams or nightmares concerning or relating to the event .

 

Anxiety and depression can occur and if the person involved has suffered from anxiety or depression before, the incident can trigger old problems. PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) can involve feelings of guilt, resentment, numbness or detachment. Avoiding the event location or things that seem to be related to the incident can also occur. Relationships may feel threatened due to anger, estrangement or a variety of characteristics related to feeling hyper-vigilant or being "touchy".

 

For some, these feelings may disappear in a few weeks. Different people have different reactions from none at all, through mild to very severe. If unpleasant feelings or reactions persist, help may be required. Coinneach Shanks has experience of working with clients following experiences of extreme events.