On this page you will find information about:
- What the symptoms of PTSD are.
- How PTSD is treated.
- Where to find support.
Contact NHS 111 using text relay, BSL, or in a different language.
If you are in a crisis and need urgent help, please contact your GP,
Symptoms of PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological reaction to witnessing frightening, distressing or stressful events. While some face it due to their time in combat, sometimes referred to as Post-Operation Stress, many people experience it as a result of other, non-combat related stresses.
A career in the military increases the likelihood of exposure to violent and traumatic events, and it is common for Service people to experience some anxiety following these events.
Read mental wellbeing guidance on the RBL Knowledge Base.
Someone who has PTSD will often re-experience the traumatic events through flashbacks or nightmares. Other symptoms might include:
- feeling isolated and insomnia
- angry or aggressive behaviour
- misuse of alcohol/drugs/gambling/food
- seeking out high-risk/dangerous pursuits, and
- panic attacks/anxiety/depression/mood swings.
These symptoms may be severe enough to prevent someone functioning in their day-to-day life, interfering with friendships, relationships and work.
Read more about the symptoms of PTSD on the NHS website.
Treatment options
The main treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are psychological therapies, talking therapies and medication. Treatment differs for everyone facing PTSD.
Talking therapies
If you require treatment for PTSD, talking therapies such as Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) may be recommended.
Cognitive behavioural therapy aims to help you manage problems by changing how you think and act. Your therapist can help you gain control of your fear and distress and may encourage you to restart any activities you have avoided since the experience. A range of psychological techniques may be used to help you come to terms with a traumatic event.
Learn more about Cognitive behavioural therapy on the NHS website.
EMDR is a psychological treatment which has been found to reduce the symptoms of PTSD. It involves recalling the traumatic incident in detail while making eye movements, usually by following the movement of your therapist's finger.
Learn more about EMDR and other treatments for PTSD on the NHS website.
You may be offered a combination of talking therapy and medicine if you are living with severe or persistent PTSD.
Medication for PTSD
You may be offered medication as part of treatment for PTSD. The two medicines recommended to treat PTSD in adults are paroxetine and sertraline. These are both types of antidepressants.
Learn more about medicines used to treat PTSD on the NHS website.
Accessing treatment and support for PTSD
To access support for PTSD in the UK you will need to be registered with a GP. Your GP will be able to refer you for treatment.
Find out how to register with a GP in the UK here on the RBL website.
If you are already registered with a GP you can self refer for talking therapies.
Self refer for NHS talking therapies.
Accessing support through Op COURAGE
The NHS offers Mental Health support to serving and ex-service military personnel, including non-mobilised reservists.
Op COURAGE is run by the NHS and can help you and your family with a range of support and treatment including:
- Intensive emergency care and treatment if you’re in a crisis.
- Help to transition from military to civilian life by providing mental health care with Defence Medical Services (DMS).
- Assist armed forces families affected by mental health problems to access local services.
- Help to recognise and treat early signs of mental health problems as well as more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma.
- Help to access other NHS mental health services if you need them, such as finding an NHS talking therapies service and eating disorder services.
- Putting you in touch with charities and local organisations who can support your wider health and wellbeing needs, such as housing, relationships, finances, employment, drug and alcohol misuse and social support.
The team at Op COURAGE are either part of the Armed Forces community or are experienced in working with service personnel, reservists, veterans and the families. They understand military life and the courage that it takes to speak with someone.
Drop-in sessions for the Armed Forces community
There are many drop-in sessions run for people in the community focusing on many aspects of health and wellbeing in the community. These drop-in sessions can also provide spaces for those with shared experiences to come together, find support and build community networks.
Read more about health, wellbeing and community drop-in sessions on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
Additional support
The Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion (RBL) is here to support the Armed Forces community through our grants, recovery services, and, support programmes. We are here all year round to ensure that service personnel, veterans and their families have access to any support that they might need.
Learn more about how the Royal British Legion could help you here on our website.
Combat Stress
Combat Stress provides a range of community, outpatient and residential mental health services to veterans with complex mental health problems.
Learn more about Combat Stress and the support they can offer on their website..
Visit the Combat Stress website to talk online, or:
Free Helpline: 0800 1381619
Text message: 07537 173683
Email: [email protected]
Op RESTORE: The Veterans physical health and wellbeing service
Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service is an NHS service that ensures those who have served within the UK Armed Forces access the right treatment for significant, continuing physical injuries and illnesses caused by their time in the Armed Forces.
Learn more about Op RESTORE and the support it can offer on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
Op FORTITUDE: Support pathway for ex-service personnel experiencing homelessness
Op FORTITUDE is a referral system that has been created to help ex-service personnel find housing support. It is funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund and is facilitated by the social housing provider Riverside Group.
Op FORTITUDE helps connect people in the Armed Forces Community who are experiencing homelessness to a network of support.
Learn more about Op FORTITUDE and the support it can offer you on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
Op COMMUNITY: Support for family members and carers of those who are or have served
Op Community is a telephone line for the Armed Forces community. It offers support and guidance around navigating NHS services and advice regarding other services that can support with issues for veterans, reservists, serving personnel, families and the wider armed forces community.
Call the support line on: 0116 225 6858
The line is open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, excluding public holidays.
Op NOVA: Support for ex-service personnel who are in contact with the justice system
Op NOVA supports ex-service personnel who are in contact with the justice system to access the support they need. The scheme works across all needs to deliver practical and emotional support including mental health needs and registering with NHS GPs.
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