PTSD and trauma in men: when the past won't stay in the past

Definitely. PTSD comes from any terrifying or horrific event, not just combat. Workplace accidents, car crashes, assaults, fires and floods, a rough childhood, being a first responder, FIFO and farming incidents all do it. If something heavy has stuck with you and your head hasn't been right since, it's worth talking to a GP, whatever the cause.

After trauma, your brain's alarm system can stay stuck on, leaving you wired, jumpy and short-fused. In blokes, trauma often shows up as anger and being 'switched on' rather than the textbook flashbacks. It's a normal reaction to an abnormal event, not a character flaw, and it's very treatable. A GP or MensLine (1300 78 99 78) is a good first step.

Yes. Trauma-focused treatments like trauma-focused CBT and EMDR, done by trained professionals, have decades of solid evidence behind them. They help your brain finally file the memory away as past instead of present. It's structured, practical work, and most blokes who stick with it get real improvement. Ask your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan and a referral.

It's really common, but grog wrecks the deep sleep your brain needs to process trauma, so it quietly keeps the whole cycle going. You don't have to quit cold today, but be honest about what it's doing, and mention it to your GP or counsellor. It's one of the most common and most fixable parts of the picture.

Open Arms (1800 011 046) is free, 24/7 counselling for anyone who's served even one day in the ADF, plus their families. For anyone, your GP can set up a Mental Health Care Plan, and Phoenix Australia is the national centre for trauma. If things ever feel unsafe, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 000.