What Is PTSD? Anshula Kapoor Reveals Having 'Stress Disorder' After The Traitors

Karan Johar’s thriller reality show The Traitors may have thrilled its viewers, but for one of its contestants, the experience left deeper scars. Anshula Kapoor, daughter of producer Boney Kapoor and sister to Arjun Kapoor, recently revealed in an interview with The Quint that she was diagnosed with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) after participating in the show.

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'Traumatising and stressful': Anshula Kapoor speaks out

Speaking about her time on the show, Anshula said she had agreed to take part believing it would stay true to the original format. However, she described the environment as “traumatising and stressful,” far removed from what she had expected.

“It was not about filming long hours, but about the conversations and atmosphere of the house. There were no intercoms in our room. They had blacked out our room numbers, so we didn't know our own or anyone else's room number,” she shared.

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She added that wind chimes were installed outside contestants’ rooms to prevent them from leaving at unauthorised times. "If you opened the door when you weren't supposed to, someone would come and tell you not to leave your room," she recalled.

The experience impacted her mental health significantly. "I had to go back into intensive therapy after the show, and I was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. My anxiety levels went off the charts," said Anshula, clarifying that she had no such diagnosis before participating.

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What Is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. These could include natural disasters, war, abuse, serious accidents, or deeply distressing personal experiences, like the kind of emotional stress Anshula describes.

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Importantly, not everyone exposed to trauma develops PTSD. But those who do may face symptoms grouped into four key categories, according to the American Psychiatric Association:

Intrusion

This includes unwanted flashbacks, recurring distressing dreams, or vivid memories that feel as real as the event itself. These can cause extreme emotional or physical reactions.

Avoidance

People with PTSD may avoid certain places, people, or conversations that remind them of the trauma. They may even resist talking about the experience altogether.

Changes in mood & thinking

This can involve depression, memory lapses, detachment from others, guilt, fear, or persistent negative beliefs like "I’m broken" or "No one can be trusted."

Arousal & reactivity

Symptoms may include irritability, difficulty sleeping, being easily startled, hypervigilance, or reckless behaviour.

How Is PTSD treated?

While PTSD can feel overwhelming, it is treatable. As per the Cleveland Clinic report, therapy, especially Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is the main approach. Specific forms include:

Cognitive Processing Therapy: It helps people reframe negative emotions and beliefs related to the trauma.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing): This therapy uses eye movements to help process distressing memories.

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Prolonged Exposure Therapy: Here the health expert gradually exposes individuals to trauma-related cues in a safe setting.

Trauma-Focused CBT: This blends exposure therapy with stress management and cognitive reframing techniques.

Group or Family Therapy: Lastly, family therapy offers shared healing spaces for those with similar experiences or for loved ones affected by the symptoms.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any concerns or questions regarding your health or medical condition.