Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can develop in people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.

PTSD can develop in any person at any age. This includes combat veterans and individuals who have experienced or witnessed physical or sexual violence, cruel treatment, accidents, disasters, or other serious events. People with PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they are not in danger.

Not everyone with PTSD has gone through a dangerous event. Sometimes, learning that a friend or family member experienced trauma can lead to PTSD.

According to an interview with the director of the Veterans Mental Health and Rehabilitation Center “Forest Glade” of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kseniia Voznitsyna, global statistics indicate that PTSD can develop in 15-20% of people who have experienced significant trauma. A portion of these 20% may recover quite quickly with good rehabilitation and personal resilience.

Over the past two years, the electronic health record (EHR) has recorded a significant increase in patients diagnosed with PTSD. For instance, in 2023, the number of patients with PTSD nearly quadrupled compared to 2021, and in the first two months of 2024, the diagnosis was made for almost the same number of patients as in the entire year of 2021.

If the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to seek help as soon as possible. For example, you can go to your family doctor or to a family doctor at a medical institution that has a contract with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) for the package “Support and treatment of adults and children with mental disorders at the primary level of medical care.”

Family doctors have undergone training under the WHO mhGAP program and can assist with mental health issues. If necessary, referrals are made to specialists such as psychologists, psychotherapists, or psychiatrists. The service is absolutely free, as it is provided within the framework of the Medical Guarantee Program.

You can find the contacts of primary health care institutions that have the appropriate contract with the NHSU on the interactive map on the NHSU website in the section “E-data” - “Dashboards” - “Providers of psychological and psychiatric care.”

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