Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event or series of events. It is extremely common after sudden cardiac arrest, affecting a significant proportion of both survivors and those who witnessed the event, including family members and bystanders who performed CPR.
**Core symptoms of PTSD**
– **Re-experiencing:** flashbacks, nightmares, [intrusive memories](/glossary/intrusive-memories/), and intense distress when encountering reminders of the cardiac arrest (including certain sounds, smells, locations, or physical sensations resembling symptoms)
– **Avoidance:** deliberately avoiding thoughts, conversations, people, or places associated with the event, including [avoidance behaviour](/glossary/avoidance-behaviour/) around exercise or medical settings
– **Negative cognitions and mood:** persistent guilt, shame, or self-blame; distorted beliefs about oneself or the world; emotional numbing; loss of interest in activities
– **Hyperarousal:** [hypervigilance](/glossary/hypervigilance/), exaggerated startle responses, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and difficulty concentrating
Symptoms must persist for more than one month and cause significant distress or functional impairment to meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.
**Treatment**
PTSD is highly treatable. NICE-recommended first-line treatments include trauma-focused [Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)](/glossary/cognitive-behavioural-therapy/) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). Both involve carefully processing the traumatic memory in a structured, supported way. Medication (SSRIs) may be used alongside therapy or when therapy is unavailable or declined.
**Getting help**
If you think you may have PTSD after your cardiac arrest, speak to your GP or [Cardiac Nurse Specialist](/glossary/cardiac-nurse-specialist/). You can also self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies at nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies. [Peer support](/glossary/peer-support/) from others who have been through similar experiences can also help.
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