Resources & Support

Navigating the journey of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. The PTSD Learning Hub is dedicated to providing you with clear, accessible, and supportive resources. This page is designed to help you find the help you need, understand your experiences, and discover effective strategies for managing PTSD and fostering recovery. We are here to support you every step of the way.

Frequently asked questions about support

We understand that finding the right support can raise many questions. This section addresses common inquiries about professional help, educational tools, and community resources available for individuals experiencing PTSD. Our aim is to break down the process and guide you towards effective solutions, ensuring you feel informed and supported.

What types of professional help are available for PTSD?
You can find information about psychologists, psychiatrists, and trauma-focused therapy services. We also provide details on crisis and mental health helplines, as well as university counselling and student wellbeing services to ensure you can access the professional support you need.

Where can I find educational resources about PTSD?
We offer educational articles explaining PTSD, trauma, fear learning, and brain function in accessible language. You'll also find recommended books and evidence-based reading materials about trauma and recovery, along with short educational videos and infographics to enhance your understanding.

Are there self-help tools and strategies I can use?
Yes, the page includes grounding technique guides, stress-management worksheets, breathing exercises, and mindfulness activities. We also provide self-reflection journals or mood-tracking tools, along with information about coping strategies for triggers, anxiety, nightmares, and hypervigilance.

How can friends and family support someone with PTSD?
We provide resources specifically designed for friends and family members who want to better support someone with PTSD. These resources offer guidance and understanding on how to be an effective source of comfort and assistance.

What kind of crisis support is available?
The page provides clear access to crisis and mental health helplines, along with links to trusted mental health organisations. These resources are designed to offer immediate support for urgent situations, ensuring help is always within reach.

How can I connect with others who understand my experience?
We provide information about trusted mental health organisations and educational websites that often host online support communities and peer-support resources. These platforms allow you to connect with others who share similar experiences, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding.

When should I seek professional support for PTSD?
The page includes information explaining when to seek professional support and how various treatments can help. It clarifies the signs and symptoms that indicate the need for expert intervention, guiding you towards timely and effective care.

What treatments are effective for PTSD?
You can find guides explaining various therapy approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). We also provide information on evidence-based treatments and how they can contribute to recovery.

Find your path to healing

We hope this page helps you feel supported, informed, and aware that recovery is possible. Explore the resources available, connect with professional help, and discover tools to manage PTSD. You are not alone, and help is here.

Reference List

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Brewin, C. R. (2001). A cognitive neuroscience account of posttraumatic stress disorder and its treatment. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 39(4), 373–393. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7967(00)00087-5

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Ehlers, A., & Clark, D. M. (2000). A cognitive model of posttraumatic stress disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 38(4), 319–345. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7967(99)00123-0 

Foa, E. B., & Kozak, M. J. (1986). Emotional processing of fear: Exposure to corrective information. Psychological Bulletin, 99(1), 20–35. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.20

Jovanovic, T., & Ressler, K. J. (2010). How the neurocircuitry and genetics of fear inhibition may inform our understanding of PTSD. American Journal of Psychiatry, 167(6), 648–662. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.09071074 

Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K. R., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593–602. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.593

Milad, M. R., Pitman, R. K., Ellis, C. B., Gold, A. L., Shin, L. M., Lasko, N. B., Zeidan, M. A., Handwerger, K., Orr, S. P., & Rauch, S. L. (2009). Neurobiological basis of failure to recall extinction memory in posttraumatic stress disorder. Biological Psychiatry, 66(12), 1075–1082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.06.026

Milad, M. R., & Quirk, G. J. (2012). Fear extinction as a model for translational neuroscience: Ten years of progress. Annual Review of Psychology, 63, 129–151. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.121208.131631 

Powers, M. B., Halpern, J. M., Ferenschak, M. P., Gillihan, S. J., & Foa, E. B. (2010). A meta-analytic review of prolonged exposure for posttraumatic stress disorder. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(6), 635–641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.04.007 

Rauch, S. L., Whalen, P. J., Shin, L. M., McInerney, S. C., Macklin, M. L., Lasko, N. B., Orr, S. P., & Pitman, R. K. (2000). Exaggerated amygdala response to masked facial stimuli in posttraumatic stress disorder: A functional MRI study. Biological Psychiatry, 47(9), 769–776. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3223(00)00828-3

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