Post-traumatic stress

After a traumatic experience such as being very unwell in hospital, it can take time for our brain to process this experience. It is normal to feel shocked, overwhelmed or numb, and to have vivid and frightening memories and nightmares. For most people these will subside over days or weeks.

For some people, these continue and start to have an impact on day-to-day life. This is called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The main symptoms of PTSD are:

• Re-experiencing the trauma as flashbacks, nightmares, or reactions in your body.
• Avoidance of thoughts, feelings, and reminders of your experience
• Negative changes in your thoughts or mood e.g. worry, guilt, irritability, low mood
• Feeling ‘on edge’ and being easily startled. You may also have difficulty sleeping.

Grounding Technique for coping with difficult memories

When our mind feels like it’s in the past, we can use our senses to “ground” us back in the present.

• Look around for 5 things you can see
• Notice 4 things you can hear
• Find 3 things you can touch or feel (It can be helpful to carry an object with you that helps you to feel safe (e.g. a stress ball or pebble)
• Notice 2 things you can smell or like the smell of
• Find 1 thing you can taste (e.g. chewing gum or other strong flavour)

If you have any problems with loss of smell or taste, refer to Loss of Smell and Taste section.

For further information on PTSD after a serious illness:

• Patient guide on critical care, intensive care and PTSD (opens in new tab)

If you are experiencing problems that might be PTSD that haven’t subsided after around 4 weeks, you should seek help from your GP or other people involved in your healthcare.