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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — recognition and management

A detailed Australian summary of post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) — recognition and management, with source-attributed priorities, a practical workflow, safety escalation and state or territory implementation boundaries.

JurisdictionAustralia
Source check2026-08-20
Clinical reviewiatroX editorial team · Clinical editorial review · reviewed 2026-08-20 · due 2027-08-20
AudienceHealthcare professionals practising in Australia
This is an iatroX educational summary of named Australia sources, not an official guideline. It does not replace the complete source documents, local policy, specialist advice or clinical judgement. Apply current TGA product information, PBS restrictions, state or territory law, local referral criteria, formulary and antimicrobial policy. A national recommendation does not create uniform service access.

Scope

Diagnose PTSD from trauma exposure plus persistent intrusion, avoidance, negative mood or cognition and hyperarousal with functional impairment. Assess dissociation, complex trauma, depression, substances, sleep, pain, suicidality and current family or occupational safety. This summary is limited to the population, decisions and escalation boundaries stated in the named source.
sources for this section:Australian PTSD Guidelines

The Bottom Line

  • Diagnose PTSD from trauma exposure plus persistent intrusion, avoidance, negative mood or cognition and hyperarousal with functional impairment.
  • Assess dissociation, complex trauma, depression, substances, sleep, pain, suicidality and current family or occupational safety.
  • Do not use routine single-session psychological debriefing after trauma because it does not prevent PTSD and may be unhelpful.
  • Offer trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy or EMDR delivered by a trained clinician as first-line treatment, paced through informed consent.
sources for this section:Australian PTSD Guidelines

Practical clinical workflow

1

Topic-specific assessment action

Diagnose PTSD from trauma exposure plus persistent intrusion, avoidance, negative mood or cognition and hyperarousal with functional impairment.
2

Topic-specific diagnostic action

Offer trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy or EMDR delivered by a trained clinician as first-line treatment, paced through informed consent.
3

Topic-specific management action

Use medicine for specific comorbidity or when psychological therapy is unavailable, declined or insufficient, explaining limitations and review.
4

Topic-specific follow-through

Nightmares, moral injury and dissociation should be identified because they may require tailored trauma therapy rather than generic anxiety care.
sources for this section:Australian PTSD Guidelines

Safety boundaries and escalation

  • Urgently respond to suicidality, severe dissociation, psychosis, dangerous substance use, ongoing violence or inability to maintain immediate safety.
  • Benzodiazepines are not recommended as core PTSD treatment because dependence and interference with trauma processing can outweigh short relief.
sources for this section:Australian PTSD Guidelines

Implementation

The named source is national or binational guidance used in Australia, but referral access, public-health directions, formularies and funded services can still differ by state, territory and health service. Check current TGA product information for medicines. Offer culturally safe care and use the NACCHO–RACGP National Guide where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preventive or chronic-care recommendations differ.
sources for this section:Australian PTSD Guidelines

Clinical use boundary

This independently written summary is not an official guideline. Check the linked source version, current TGA-approved product information where medicines are involved, and the applicable state, territory and local pathway at the point of care.

sources for this section:Australian PTSD Guidelines

Source documents

Use the linked source documents for complete recommendations, evidence grading, exclusions and implementation detail.

  1. Phoenix AustraliaAustralian Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Stress Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Complex PTSD2020 NHMRC-approved guideline · accessed 2026-08-20
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