PTSD & Trauma: Healing from South Africa's Violent Reality
Recovery after hijackings, assault, and trauma in one of the world's most violent countries.
In Crisis? Get Help Now
If you're having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or if you're in immediate danger, please reach out for help right now. You are not alone, and help is available 24/7.
All helplines are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What is PTSD?
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is what happens when your mind and body can't recover from a traumatic event. According to the American Psychological Association, the event is over, but your brain keeps reacting as if it's still happening.
You might keep seeing the event in your mind like a movie that won't stop playing. You might feel jumpy and on edge all the time, as if danger is around every corner. You might avoid places, people, or situations that remind you of what happened. And you might feel angry, guilty, or numb.
In South Africa, PTSD is extremely common. With one of the highest crime rates in the world, millions of South Africans have experienced or witnessed violence. Studies suggest that up to 75% of South Africans will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime[6], and many will develop PTSD as a result. Many people with PTSD also struggle with anxiety and depression.
What This Means for You
If you've been through something traumatic and you're still struggling, you're not weak. You're not broken. Your mind is trying to protect you, but it's stuck in survival mode. There are ways to help your mind let go of the trauma so you can feel safe again.
Common Causes of PTSD in South Africa
PTSD can be triggered by any event that makes you feel like your life is in danger or that you're completely helpless. In South Africa, the most common causes include:
Violent Crime
- • Hijackings and carjackings
- • Home invasions and armed robbery
- • Assault and mugging
- • Sexual assault and rape
Other Traumatic Events
- • Witnessing violence or murder
- • Car accidents
- • Domestic violence
- • Childhood abuse or neglect
Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD affects your thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Here are the most common symptoms:
1. Re-Experiencing the Trauma
- Flashbacks (feeling like the event is happening again)
- Nightmares about the event
- Intrusive thoughts or images that you can't control
- Physical reactions (sweating, fast heartbeat) when reminded of the event
2. Avoidance
- Avoiding places, people, or activities that remind you of the trauma
- Refusing to talk about what happened
- Trying to push memories out of your mind
3. Hyperarousal (Always on Alert)
- Feeling jumpy or easily startled
- Constantly scanning for danger
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability and angry outbursts
4. Negative Changes in Mood and Thinking
- Feeling numb or detached from others
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Negative thoughts about yourself or the world ("I'm not safe anywhere")
- Guilt or shame about what happened
Living with PTSD in South Africa
What makes PTSD especially difficult in South Africa is that the danger is often ongoing. If you were hijacked once, you know it could happen again. If your home was broken into, you might never feel safe there again. This constant threat makes it hard for your mind to relax and heal.
Many South Africans develop what's called "hypervigilance"—a state of being constantly on alert for danger. You might check your mirrors obsessively when driving. You might avoid certain areas or only go out during the day. You might install multiple security systems and still not feel safe.
This is not paranoia. This is a rational response to living in a high-crime environment. But it takes a toll on your mental health and quality of life.
Traditional Treatments for PTSD
1. Medication
Doctors often prescribe antidepressants (SSRIs) or anti-anxiety medication (benzodiazepines) for PTSD.
Do they work? These drugs can reduce some symptoms, like anxiety and sleep problems. But they don't heal the trauma. They just numb you to it. And they come with side effects like weight gain, sexual problems, and addiction. For a detailed comparison, see our Dianetics vs. Medication guide.
2. Trauma-Focused Therapy
Psychologists offer trauma-focused therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) or Prolonged Exposure Therapy.
Do they work? These therapies can help some people process their trauma. But they're expensive (R1000-R2000 per session), and they require you to repeatedly relive the traumatic event, which can be extremely painful. Many people drop out before completing treatment. Learn more in our Dianetics vs. Therapy comparison.
3. Traditional Healing
Some South Africans turn to sangomas (traditional healers) for help with trauma. Sangomas might perform cleansing rituals or provide muthi (traditional medicine).
Do they work? While these practices can provide cultural comfort, there is no scientific evidence that they can heal PTSD.
Dianetics: A Different Approach to Trauma
According to "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health" by L. Ron Hubbard, traumatic memories are stored in your reactive mind. When something in your present life reminds you of the trauma, the reactive mind kicks in and makes you feel like you're back in that moment of danger.
Through a process called auditing, you can locate these traumatic memories and examine them in a safe, controlled way. As you look at the memory, its power over you diminishes. The flashbacks stop. The hypervigilance fades. You can finally feel safe again.
Unlike traditional therapy, Dianetics doesn't require you to relive the trauma over and over. Instead, you examine it from a calm, analytical perspective. And unlike medication, Dianetics doesn't just numb you to the trauma—it removes its power completely.
Why Dianetics is Different for Trauma
- It addresses the traumatic memory directly, not just the symptoms
- You don't have to relive the trauma in a painful way
- It's a finite process with a clear endpoint
- No medication, no side effects, no dependency
Reclaiming Your Life After Trauma
Trauma doesn't have to define you. You don't have to live in fear for the rest of your life. You don't have to be numb on medication or spend years in therapy that doesn't fully heal you.
Dianetics offers a way to process and release traumatic memories so you can feel safe, calm, and in control again. It's not a quick fix, but many people have experienced lasting results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Next Steps
If you're ready to heal from trauma and reclaim your life, Dianetics can help.
Start your healing journey today. Order the Dianetics book for R400 with free delivery across South Africa. The book provides a complete guide to processing traumatic memories without reliving the pain.
For specialized trauma support, Dianetics auditing services offer one-on-one guidance in a safe, controlled environment.
Discover how Dianetics addresses traumatic memories that cause PTSD symptoms. Process and resolve the source of flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance for lasting recovery.
Tony Peacock
Humanitarian & Mental Health Research Advocate
Published: 2024 • Updated: November 2025
Tony is an Australian who moved to South Africa and made it his home. At 25, he overcame drug and alcohol addiction through Dianetics after trying alternative healing approaches. He served as Church staff in Australia for 12 years before moving to SA in 2022. As a humanitarian and philanthropist, he has made significant contributions to mental health infrastructure across Southern Africa. His mission: help the able become more able using technology that makes people causative.