The World Health Organisation has defined it as: ‘A delayed or protracted response to a stressful
event or situation (either short or long-lasting) of an exceptionally threatening or long-lasting nature,
which is likely to cause pervasive distress in almost anyone.’
Every day, people are involved in, or witness, events such as road accidents, muggings, and sexual
or physical assaults that cause them deep emotional injury. As we are emotional creatures we will
physically and mentally respond such events, which may then trigger memories of earlier experiences,
creating a psychosomatic symptom, which can cause our lives to spiral out of control.
The symptoms
Vivid flashbacks (feeling as if the trauma is happening all over again) -- intrusive thoughts and
images -- nightmares -- intense distress at real or symbolic reminders of the trauma.
You may avoiding memories by:
Keeping busy -- avoiding situations that remind you of the trauma -- repressing memories (being
unable to remember aspects of the event) -- feeling detached, cut off and emotionally numb --being
unable to express affection -- feeling there’s no point in planning for the future -- Being easily
Aroused -- disturbed sleep -- irritability and aggressive behaviour -- lack of concentration -- extreme
alertness -- panic response to anything to do with the trauma --being easily startled.
Some of these symptoms may last only a short time but if they occur beyond a month or are of an
intense nature then you probably have PST.
Possible triggers of PST:
Personal trauma, violent crime, sexual or physical assault, road traffic accidents or difficulties during
childbirth survivors of childhood sexual abuse may be affected. Children who have themselves been
abused, or who have witnessed something terrible, such as a murder.
Often tragic events may only serve as trigger events and the real cause is earlier in a person’s life,
Hypno-anlaysis has been demonstrated to be an effective therapy for PST.
