Do I Have PTSD?

Understanding Symptoms and When to Seek Help

Psychologists help people understand that overcoming an issue requires recognising all the factors that contribute to it. The bio-psycho-social model explains how our thoughts, feelings, behaviours, biology, upbringing, and interactions with others create patterns that keep us stuck. Knowledge is power—and even a small change in one area can shift the whole system. Understanding what’s happening beneath the surface gives us the tools to take meaningful action.

PTSD vs. Normal Stress Responses: What’s the Difference?

After a traumatic event, it’s normal to feel shaken, anxious, or have intrusive thoughts. In the first month, your mind is actively processing what happened. This is part of your brain’s natural way of making sense of the event and integrating it into your memory.

However, for some people, this process gets stuck—instead of the trauma fading over time, it continues to feel fresh, overwhelming, and intrusive. If these symptoms persist beyond one month, it may be Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Key Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD symptoms fall into four main categories. Not everyone experiences all of them, but if you recognise yourself in these descriptions, it might be time to seek support.

1. Re-experiencing the Trauma

Flashbacks – Feeling as though you are reliving the event, not just remembering it.
Nightmares – Distressing dreams related to the trauma.
Intrusive Thoughts – Unwanted, distressing memories that surface without warning.
Physical Reactions – A racing heart, sweating, or feeling panicked when reminded of the trauma.

2. Avoidance & Emotional Numbing

Avoiding Reminders – Staying away from places, people, or situations that bring up memories of the event.
Suppressing Thoughts – Trying not to think about what happened but finding that the memories still intrude.
Feeling Disconnected – A sense of emotional numbness or detachment from others.
Loss of Interest – Things that used to bring joy feel meaningless or distant.

3. Hyperarousal & Feeling On Edge

Being Easily Startled – Jumping at sudden noises or feeling constantly on guard.
Difficulty Sleeping – Struggling with insomnia, restless sleep, or waking up frequently.
Irritability or Anger – Feeling short-tempered, frustrated, or aggressive without clear reason.
Hypervigilance – Always scanning for danger, even in safe environments.

4. Negative Changes in Mood & Thinking

Persistent Guilt or Shame – Feeling responsible for what happened, even if logically, you know you aren’t.
Distorted Thoughts About the World – Believing that nowhere is safe or that people cannot be trusted.
Hopelessness About the Future – Feeling as though things will never get better.
Memory Gaps – Struggling to recall important aspects of the traumatic event.

The Broken Filing Cabinet: A Metaphor for PTSD

Imagine your brain is like a filing cabinet. Each memory is placed into a file, stored, and easily retrieved when needed. Normally, after a stressful event, your brain processes the experience and files it away properly.

But trauma can jam the filing cabinet.

Instead of being neatly stored, the memory remains loose and disorganised—popping out unexpectedly, replaying itself at random, and interfering with everyday life. The brain tries to file it away, but every time it gets close, the emotional intensity sends it spilling out again.

Therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing) and Trauma-Focused CBT help un-jam the filing cabinet, allowing the memory to be processed properly so it no longer dominates your life.

What Can Help?

If you recognise these symptoms in yourself, know that you are not broken, and help is available. Trauma can be processed, and you can regain a sense of safety and control. Here are some proven approaches:

Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR)

Uses guided eye movements or tapping to help the brain process traumatic memories in a less distressing way.
Helps move the memory from an active, raw state to a properly stored one.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)

Helps change unhelpful thought patterns related to the trauma.
Teaches coping strategies to reduce distress.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy

Works with different ‘parts’ of you that may be stuck in past trauma.
Helps bring safety and balance back to the emotional system.

Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT)

Uses hypnotherapy techniques to access and update subconscious beliefs linked to trauma.
Can help reduce emotional distress tied to past experiences.

Moving Forward

If you’re wondering, “Do I have PTSD?”, the first step is self-awareness. Recognising symptoms early can prevent long-term suffering. Whether through professional therapy or small, gradual steps toward healing, recovery is possible.

You don’t have to keep reliving the past. When you’re ready, support is here to help you move forward.