Prince Harry has previously spoken publicly about his mental health and trauma, including discussing PTSD.
While Harry has not made a formal medical diagnosis public, he has spoken about being privately diagnosed with PTSD by his doctor.
He also discussed his struggles with agoraphobia, anxiety and panic attacks in his memoir Spare.
In Spare and subsequent interviews, Harry detailed the lasting effects of losing Princess Diana as a child and how the experience shaped his emotional life.
Harry stated that his personal therapist formally diagnosed him with PTSD resulting from childhood trauma and his time serving in the military in Afghanistan.
Harry described struggling with agoraphobia and panic attacks, saying the pressures of public life sometimes made his symptoms worse. He also recalled an episode in which he nearly fainted during a speech.
How Prince Harry treated his PTSD
Prince Harry treated his PTSD, unresolved anxiety, and trauma primarily through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and explored alternative/psychedelic substances or cannabis for processing trauma.
The Duke has said Meghan Markle encouraged him to seek therapy, where he worked through unresolved grief, childhood experiences and anger.
He has also discussed therapy as a way to process the emotional impact of hearing veterans’ traumatic experiences through the Invictus Games.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying, dangerous, or life-threatening event. While it is normal to experience fear and distress after a trauma, individuals with PTSD continue to feel stressed, frightened, and functionally impaired long after the danger has passed.
PTSD symptoms and treatment
PTSD symptoms generally fall into four groups: intrusive memories such as flashbacks and nightmares; avoidance of trauma reminders; negative changes in mood and thinking, including fear, guilt or detachment; and changes in arousal, such as hypervigilance, irritability, sleep problems and an exaggerated startle response.
It is treatable, with trauma-focused psychotherapy often forming the mainstay of care. Common approaches include CBT, prolonged exposure, EMDR and cognitive processing therapy.
Medications such as certain antidepressants may also be prescribed, while supportive habits such as regular exercise, mindfulness and consistent routines can complement professional treatment.
