PTSD Assessment: When Should You Consider a Psychiatric Assessment?

After experiencing something traumatic, it is normal to feel unsettled, worried or on edge.

For some people, these feelings continue and begin to affect sleep, relationships, work or everyday life.

This can raise an important question.

Could what I am experiencing be related to PTSD?

A PTSD Assessment can help a qualified mental health professional understand your symptoms, history and how they are affecting your life.

Post-traumatic stress disorder can occur after experiencing, witnessing or learning about a traumatic event. Healthdirect reports that around 12 in every 100 Australians will experience PTSD at some point in their lives.

Understanding the signs can be the first step towards deciding whether professional support may be appropriate.

What Is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly known as PTSD, is a mental health condition that can develop after a traumatic event.

Trauma can include experiences such as:

• Serious accidents
• Physical or sexual assault
• Natural disasters
• War or military experiences
• Serious injury
• Witnessing someone being seriously injured or killed
• Other events involving serious threat or danger

Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD.

People can respond to the same event in very different ways.

Some people may recover over time, while others may continue to experience symptoms that affect their everyday lives.

This is one reason why a PTSD Assessment looks at the individual rather than only the traumatic event itself.

What Are the Common Signs of PTSD?

PTSD can affect people differently.

Healthdirect describes four main groups of PTSD symptoms.

1. Re-experiencing the Trauma

Some people may experience:

• Distressing memories
• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Strong reactions to reminders of the event
• Physical reactions when reminded of the trauma

These experiences can sometimes feel unexpected or difficult to control.

2. Avoiding Reminders

A person may begin avoiding:

• Certain places
• People
• Activities
• Conversations
• Thoughts connected with the traumatic experience

Avoidance can sometimes affect work, relationships and normal activities.

3. Changes in Thoughts and Mood

PTSD may also involve:

• Feeling disconnected from others
• Guilt
• Anger
• Low mood
• Negative thoughts about yourself or others
• Losing interest in activities
• Difficulty remembering parts of the event

4. Feeling Constantly Alert

Some people may feel as though they always need to look out for danger.

This can involve:

• Being easily startled
• Difficulty sleeping
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling tense or on edge

Experiencing one of these symptoms does not automatically mean you have PTSD.

A qualified professional needs to consider the overall pattern of symptoms and their impact on your life.

How Long Can PTSD Symptoms Last?

Trauma responses can happen soon after an event.

Some people may experience distress for a short period and gradually feel better.

For others, symptoms may continue or appear later.

Healthdirect notes that PTSD symptoms can sometimes begin months after the traumatic event.

If symptoms continue and begin affecting your daily life, speaking with a GP or mental health professional may be appropriate.

A PTSD Assessment can help explore what you have been experiencing and whether further psychiatric assessment or support should be considered.

When Should You Consider a PTSD Assessment?

There is no single experience that means everyone needs a PTSD Assessment.

However, you may want to speak with a health professional if you notice ongoing changes after a traumatic experience.

For example:

Your Sleep Has Changed

You may have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or experience distressing dreams.

You Keep Reliving What Happened

Unwanted memories or reminders of the event may continue to come into your thoughts.

You Are Avoiding Everyday Situations

You may avoid places, people or activities because they remind you of what happened.

You Feel Constantly On Edge

You may feel alert to possible danger even when you are in a situation that is currently safe.

Your Relationships or Work Are Being Affected

Ongoing trauma symptoms can make it harder to concentrate, communicate or take part in normal activities.

These experiences can have several possible causes.

A PTSD Assessment does not assume that PTSD is the cause. It provides an opportunity for a qualified professional to understand the broader picture.

What Happens During a PTSD Assessment?

A PTSD Assessment is generally based on a detailed discussion about your experiences and symptoms.

A psychiatrist may ask about:

• The traumatic experience
• When your symptoms began
• How often symptoms occur
• Sleep
• Mood
• Anxiety
• Concentration
• Relationships
• Work or study
• Previous mental health concerns
• Current support
• Other relevant health information

The psychiatrist may also consider whether symptoms could be related to another mental health condition or whether more than one concern may be present.

The aim is to understand your individual circumstances rather than make assumptions based on one symptom.

Does a PTSD Assessment Mean You Will Receive a Diagnosis?

No.

An assessment and a diagnosis are not the same thing.

During a PTSD Assessment, a psychiatrist considers your symptoms, history and their impact on your everyday life.

A diagnosis is made only when the appropriate clinical criteria are met.

Other conditions can also involve symptoms such as anxiety, sleep difficulties, low mood, irritability or difficulty concentrating.

This is why a broader psychiatric assessment can be useful when symptoms are complex or unclear.

Can PTSD Be Assessed Through Telehealth?

Telehealth may be suitable for some people seeking psychiatric assessment.

PsycheTel Australia provides secure telehealth consultations with AHPRA registered consultant psychiatrists across Australia.

An online PTSD Assessment can provide an opportunity to discuss your symptoms with a psychiatrist without needing to attend a physical waiting room.

However, telehealth is not suitable for every situation.

The psychiatrist can consider your individual circumstances and whether an online consultation is appropriate.

You can learn more about PsycheTel’s PTSD service.

What Support May Be Discussed After an Assessment?

The next step depends on the individual assessment.

A psychiatrist may discuss different forms of mental health care or recommend working with another qualified mental health professional where appropriate.

Support may involve:

• Psychological therapy
• Referral to an appropriate mental health professional
• Ongoing psychiatric care
• Coordination with your GP
• Monitoring of symptoms
• Further assessment where needed

Healthdirect notes that PTSD can be treated with psychological therapies and, in some circumstances, medicines.

Because PsycheTel’s public advertising needs to comply with Australian requirements, this article does not promote or recommend specific prescription medicines. TGA guidance states that public advertising of health services should not directly or indirectly promote prescription medicines.

What Is the Difference Between Trauma and PTSD?

Experiencing a traumatic event does not automatically mean someone has PTSD.

Many people experience distress, fear or changes in sleep after a traumatic event and gradually recover.

PTSD is a specific mental health condition involving a pattern of symptoms that can continue and interfere with everyday functioning.

Healthdirect explains that trauma symptoms can occur after a stressful event and that ongoing symptoms affecting daily activities may need professional attention.

If you are unsure whether your experiences may be related to PTSD, discussing them with a qualified professional can help provide more clarity.

Can PTSD Happen Years After a Traumatic Event?

Not everyone develops symptoms immediately.

Healthdirect notes that symptoms can sometimes take several months to appear.

This means that someone may not immediately connect their current experiences with something that happened in the past.

If you have ongoing symptoms such as nightmares, intrusive memories, avoidance, sleep difficulties or feeling constantly alert, it may be worth discussing your history with a GP or mental health professional.

A PTSD Assessment can consider both your current symptoms and relevant experiences from your past.

How Can You Prepare for a PTSD Assessment?

You do not need to prepare a perfect explanation of what happened.

It may help to make a few notes before your appointment.

You could write down:

• When the traumatic event occurred
• When you first noticed changes
• The symptoms you experience
• How often they happen
• How your sleep has changed
• Situations you avoid
• How your work or relationships have been affected
• Previous mental health support
• Questions you would like to ask

You can also tell the psychiatrist if discussing certain parts of the experience feels difficult.

A PTSD Assessment is an opportunity to have a professional conversation about your concerns. You do not need to have a diagnosis before booking an assessment.

PTSD and Other Mental Health Concerns

Trauma can affect different parts of mental health.

Some people may experience symptoms associated with anxiety or depression alongside trauma-related symptoms.

Healthdirect notes that depression and anxiety can also occur following traumatic experiences.

This is why it can be useful to look at the whole picture.

At PsycheTel, other psychiatric services include Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and Autism.

The appropriate service depends on your individual circumstances and clinical assessment.

PTSD Assessment With PsycheTel Australia

PsycheTel Australia provides online psychiatric consultations across Australia through secure telehealth.

The service connects people with AHPRA registered consultant psychiatrists and provides access to psychiatric care without requiring travel to a physical clinic.

The PsycheTel PTSD service can be explored through the PTSD service page.

If you are considering a PTSD Assessment, you can also visit the PsycheTel Book Appointment page or speak with your GP about whether a psychiatric referral may be appropriate.

For healthcare professionals, PsycheTel also provides information about referring a patient.

When Should You Seek Urgent Help?

PTSD and trauma-related symptoms can sometimes be very distressing.

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, feel that you may harm yourself or someone else, or are in immediate danger, do not wait for a routine psychiatric appointment.

Call 000 in an emergency.

You can also contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 for crisis support. Healthdirect also provides information about mental health support services in Australia.