PTSD Can Feel Like is a free printable trauma awareness poster designed to explain what post-traumatic stress disorder can feel like in everyday life. It uses clear, supportive language to describe common emotional, physical, and behavioural experiences linked to trauma, helping people feel understood rather than judged.
The poster highlights experiences such as feeling constantly on edge, struggling to feel safe, strong reactions to sounds or smells, nightmares or flashbacks, emotional numbness, anger, difficulty sleeping, problems with concentration, avoidance, shame, and ongoing exhaustion from coping each day. It clearly states that PTSD is a normal response to overwhelming experiences, can affect anyone, and is not a weakness.
This resource is helpful for adults, young people, and older teenagers who are learning about trauma and mental health. It is also useful for social workers, counsellors, therapists, teachers, support workers, and other professionals who want to raise awareness of PTSD, trauma responses, and emotional wellbeing in a clear and non-stigmatising way.
The poster can be used in therapy rooms, schools, wellbeing spaces, training sessions, or support settings to support conversations about trauma, mental health, emotions, behaviour, and recovery. It helps normalise trauma responses and encourages understanding, compassion, and access to support.
