Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Most people go through difficult or frightening experiences at some point in life. Often, with time and support, we gradually recover. But sometimes an experience is so overwhelming that it continues to affect how we feel, think and respond to the world. This is what we mean when we talk about trauma.

Trauma can come from a single event, a series of events, or something that happens over a longer period of time. It might be something you experienced directly, or something you witnessed happening to someone else.

For young people, trauma might include things like bullying, abuse, discrimination, a serious accident, illness, sudden loss, or feeling unsafe at home or school. Sometimes the experiences that shape us most are not the ones others expect. For example, repeated criticism, humiliation or feeling constantly put down can have a deep impact on how a young person sees themselves.

What matters most is how the experience affected you. There is no single definition of what counts as trauma, and there is no ‘right’ way to respond to it.

How trauma can affect young people

After a traumatic experience, it’s common to notice emotional, physical or behavioural changes. Some young people feel:

• anxious or constantly on edge
• angry, irritable or easily overwhelmed
• low, hopeless or withdrawn
• guilty or ashamed about what happened
• worried it will happen again

Trauma can also show up physically or mentally. Young people might experience:

• nightmares or intense dreams
• sleep difficulties
• intrusive memories or flashbacks
• difficulty concentrating
• changes in appetite
• feeling disconnected from their body or emotions

These reactions can feel frightening, but they are very common responses to overwhelming experiences.

What is PTSD?

Sometimes trauma-related symptoms become more persistent and begin to affect day-to-day life. This may lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

PTSD is usually described through three main patterns:

Re-experiencing – memories of the event coming back through flashbacks, nightmares or distressing images.

Avoidance or emotional numbing – trying not to think about the event, avoiding reminders of it, or feeling emotionally shut down.

Hyperarousal – feeling constantly on alert, irritable, tense or struggling with sleep and concentration.

Some young people who experience repeated or long-term trauma may develop Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), particularly when trauma has occurred over months or years.

Support and recovery

If you’re a young person struggling with trauma, or a parent worried about your child, it can feel confusing and frightening, especially when the connection between past experiences and current difficulties isn’t obvious.

The good news is that trauma is treatable. One of the most effective approaches is trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is recommended by the NHS and NICE for treating PTSD in young people.

This approach helps young people gently and safely process what happened, understand why their mind and body are reacting the way they are, and learn practical skills to feel more in control again.

Therapy also supports parents and carers. When a young person has experienced trauma, families are often left feeling unsure what to say or do. Part of my role is helping you understand what your child is going through and giving you clear, practical ways to support them.

With the right support, young people can begin to make sense of their experiences, rebuild their confidence and move forward towards the life they want.