PTSD is a condition that anyone can experience, at any age. The NHS describe PTSD as:
'an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks. PTSD can develop immediately after someone experiences a disturbing event, or it can occur weeks, months or even years later. People who repeatedly experience traumatic situations, such as severe neglect, abuse or violence, may be diagnosed with complex PTSD.'
Read more about PTSD and complex PTSD on the NHS website.
The symptoms of PTSD will often be similar for autistic and non-autistic people.
You might be experiencing PTSD if you are:
- reliving a distressing event(s), either awake (flashbacks) or during a nightmare
- avoiding people or places connected to the event(s)
- avoiding talking or thinking about the event(s)
- feeling more alert or on edge (also known as hyperarousal)
- feeling irritable or having angry outbursts.
Some experiences that could be traumatic include:
- physical, domestic and emotional abuse
- serious health problems
- death or harm of a parent or loved one
- severe accidents
- bullying or victimisation by peers
- witnessing or being a victim of a crime.
If you experience traumatic experiences more than once, you might be more likely to develop PTSD.
There is very little research exploring PTSD in autistic people, making it impossible to say how many people might experience it. However, there is some research that suggests autistic people can develop PTSD symptoms for a wider range of reasons than non-autistic people. These could be part of your everyday life, including:
- sensory differences, for example being over or under-sensitive to things such as lighting, noise, or smell
- differences in understanding social situations
- lack of appropriate support
- increased likelihood of mental health issues
- relationship breakdowns.
These wider experiences may not be recognised within the usual signs and symptoms for PTSD. This means some autistic people might not get a PTSD diagnosis and the help they need.
Some research suggests autistic people may experience difficulties in their daily lives, such as social isolation, bullying and not being accepted by their peers. These may be traumatic experiences for autistic people, which could lead or contribute to PTSD symptoms.
