Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often undiagnosed

There have been stories in the news recently concerning Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how many people are going undiagnosed and untreated.

At Ashtons Legal we come across a great number of clients suffering with PTSD flowing from a traumatic experience they have suffered. Unfortunately, with many medical practitioners not having the knowledge of the condition, PTSD can go undiagnosed for many years, with the effects only getting worse the longer the condition is left untreated. Some of those suffering with PTSD are aware that there is something wrong but are either completely unaware of the condition, are ashamed to admit that they may be suffering from it, or do not realise it can be treated.

We need to concentrate on increasing the awareness of conditions such as PTSD. GPs need to be knowledgeable of the condition and make it a consideration when patients present symptoms akin to those of PTSD. More needs to be done to raise public awareness, as it’s important that people know this is a condition, what the symptoms are and the treatments that are available.