Counselling for post-traumatic stress should be offered to those struggling as a result of gender reassignment or illegal immigration, new guidance for the NHS says.

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said therapy should be offered to adults or children within one month of a “traumatic event”.

They said that symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – such as vivid flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, increased anxiety and difficulty sleeping – were best tackled quickly.

And the new draft guidance says a wide-range of situations could trigger the disorder.

These include “gender reassignment, homelessness and illegal immigration” its advice notes.

Around one quarter of people who suffer from a “catastrophic, frightening or stressful” event will go on to develop PTSD, Nice said

NHS treatments include one-to-one talking therapies, group therapies and consultations using text messages or video.

PTSD is a treatable condition but the pain of revisiting past events can prevent people seeking the help they need

Consultations can include up to 12 sessions with a specialist speaking about triggers and helping patients think differently about their memories, so that they become less distressing.

If talking therapies are unsuccessful, GPs should consider referral for eye movement de-sensitisation and reprocessing, the guidance says. This uses eye movement to help the brain process flashbacks and make better sense of a traumatic experience.

Professor Mark Baker, director for the centre of guidelines at Nice, said: “PTSD is a treatable condition but the pain of revisiting past events can prevent people seeking the help they need.

“We have updated our guidance to make sure that PTSD is managed as early as possible and give advice on coordinating the complex needs that are often associated with this condition.”

Charity PTSD UK estimates that around one in ten Britons will develop the condition.

The chances are higher among certain professions, with firefighters having a one in five risk of developing the disorder.

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And an estimated 10,000 women a year develop PTSD following a traumatic birth.

The new advice warn that many PTSD sufferers may also have depression but says treating the disorder can improve depressive symptoms.

For patients reluctant to meet with therapists, doctors should consider alternative approaches such as phone sessions, or using text messages or Skype.

And group therapy can be considered to prevent PTSD in children, Nice says.

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said getting treatment quickly was important, but warned that access to such services is “patchy”.

“Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious anxiety disorder that can cause a huge amount of distress to patients, as well as their family and friends.

“GPs are often the first port of call for patients struggling with mental health problems and we understand the debilitating impact something like PTSD can have on a person’s life,” she said.

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Professor Neil Greenberg, from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “Most people who experience distress after a traumatic event will recover without the need for any professional intervention.

“But in a few extreme – and thankfully quite rare – cases, people will need professional help.

“What we’ve learnt since the original Nice guidance was published in 2005 is that in these cases a limited number of trauma-focussed therapy sessions done in the first month can help people who are having really severe symptoms. The College hopes this draft guidance will be accepted.”