PTSD & Complex Trauma
Before you read
This page discusses trauma, including childhood experiences. If you find this content distressing, you can step away at any time. Support is available - call Samaritans free on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258.
What are PTSD and complex PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) happens when the mind gets stuck processing a traumatic event. Your brain stays in “threat mode” - replaying the event, avoiding reminders, or feeling constantly on edge.
PTSD develops after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event. Around 1 in 10 people in the UK will experience PTSD at some point in their life.1
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is different. It develops from repeated trauma - often over months or years - like childhood abuse, domestic violence, or ongoing discrimination. With C-PTSD, people often struggle with self-worth, relationships, and emotional regulation alongside the classic PTSD symptoms.
Why neurodivergent people are more affected
Neurodivergent people face a harder time. Research shows 3 in 10 neurodivergent individuals experienced four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), compared to 1 in 10 neurotypical people.2
Why? Neurodivergent children often:
- Stand out and become targets for bullying or exclusion
- Struggle to read social situations, making them easier to manipulate
- Face pressure to “mask” or hide who they are
- Receive criticism for traits they cannot control
- Experience confusion and shame about their differences
This repeated stress and invalidation creates the perfect conditions for trauma.
Nearly 1 in 3 young people in the UK experienced significant trauma by age 18 - and neurodivergent young people experience trauma at much higher rates.3
PTSD and neurodivergence: the hidden connection
Many neurodivergent people are diagnosed with ADHD or autism - but what they are actually experiencing is unprocessed trauma.
PTSD and ADHD overlap
The overlap is striking. 28-36% of people with ADHD also have PTSD.4 Why? Because the symptoms look similar:
- Difficulty concentrating (intrusive thoughts vs. ADHD distraction)
- Hypervigilance (scanning for threats vs. ADHD restlessness)
- Emotional overwhelm (trauma response vs. ADHD dysregulation)
- Sleep problems and irritability (both conditions)
The genetic link is real too - research shows a correlation of 0.70 between PTSD and ADHD, meaning they share significant common causes.
PTSD and autism
Autistic people show significantly higher rates of PTSD symptoms. This might be because:
- Sensory overwhelm makes traumatic memories feel more vivid
- Difficulty reading others’ intentions increases vulnerability to abuse
- Shutdowns and meltdowns get misunderstood as behavioural problems
- Masking creates disconnection from safety cues
Diagnostic overshadowing
“Diagnostic overshadowing” is when one diagnosis hides another. A person might be told “your anxiety is just your ADHD” or “your flashbacks are just your autism sensory issues.”
But these are not the same thing. Trauma needs trauma-informed treatment. Misdiagnosis means people do not get the right support - and can keep re-traumatising themselves trying to manage conditions they do not actually have.
If you are neurodivergent and have experienced trauma, both things are real and both need attention. You deserve specialists who understand both.
How trauma shows up
Trauma symptoms vary widely, but common experiences include:
- Flashbacks and intrusive memories: the event replays without warning
- Avoidance: avoiding places, people, or activities that remind you of the trauma
- Hypervigilance: constant scanning for danger
- Emotional numbness: feeling disconnected or hollow
- Sleep problems: nightmares or difficulty settling
- Anger or irritability: quick to react, hard to calm down
- Physical symptoms: tension, stomach issues, chest pain
With C-PTSD, you might also experience:
- Deep shame or self-blame
- Difficulty trusting others
- Feeling broken or permanently damaged
- Struggles with relationships and boundaries
Getting support
Recovery is possible. Trauma-informed therapies - especially those adapted for neurodivergent people - work well.
Talk to your GP
Your GP can:
- Listen without judgment
- Refer you to trauma-specialist therapists
- Discuss medication if helpful
- Signpost to local services
Access specialist therapy
Evidence-based treatments for PTSD include:
- Trauma-focused CBT: working through the memory in a safe way
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing): helps your brain process the trauma
- Somatic therapies: working with your body’s stress response
If you are neurodivergent, ask therapists about:
- Experience with neurodivergent clients
- Sensory-friendly sessions
- Flexible pacing (trauma work takes time)
- Clear communication and structure
Where to find help
- Use our Local Services directory to find trauma-informed therapists, counsellors, and psychiatrists near you
- Our Ask a Counsellor service lets you put a question to a registered counsellor about trauma and support
- Our Online Community connects you with other neurodivergent people who understand
Getting help now
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm:
- Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
- SHOUT: Text SHOUT to 85258 (crisis text support)
- PTSD UK: https://www.ptsduk.org/ (support and resources)
- NAPAC: https://napac.org.uk/ (support for childhood abuse survivors)
- Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/ (information and support)
If you are in immediate danger or having a mental health emergency:
- Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E
- Call your local crisis team if you have one
You do not have to manage this alone. Trauma is treatable. Neurodivergent people can recover with the right support - support that understands both your neurodivergence and your trauma. Visit Get Help Now for crisis support options.
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PTSD UK. (2024). PTSD Statistics. https://www.ptsduk.org/ptsd-stats/ ↩
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Sheringham, J., Feder, G., Anderson, A. et al. (2024). Relationships between neurodivergence status and adverse childhood experiences, and impacts on health, wellbeing, and criminal justice outcomes. BMC Public Health, 24, 3377. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20787-0 ↩
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Lewis, S.J., Arseneault, L., Caspi, A. et al. (2019). The epidemiology of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder in a representative cohort of young people in England and Wales. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(3), 247-256. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30031-8 ↩
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Spencer, A.E., Faraone, S.V., Bogucki, O.E. et al. (2016). Examining the association between posttraumatic stress disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 77(1), 72-83. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.14r09479 ↩
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