PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

PTSD can develop after a distressing or threatening event and causes reliving of events, avoidance, negative mood and constant vigilance. The event is never the victim's fault; effective trauma-focused treatments are available.

• Unwanted memories, nightmares, flashbacks or physical reactions as though the event is happening again.
• Avoiding people, places, conversations, feelings or activities that remind you of the event.
• Tell a trustworthy person which situations are difficult and what helps when you relive an event.
• Use grounding: calmly name what you can see, hear and feel now to distinguish the present from a memory.
• Make an appointment when reliving events, nightmares, avoidance or vigilance persist for weeks or disrupt daily life.
• For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.