Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD]

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder involving exposure to a traumatic event which could include crimes, natural disasters, accidents, war or conflict, or other threats to life.a mental illness. It involves exposure to traumatic event.

PTSD causes intrusive symptoms such as re-experiencing the traumatic event. Many people have vivid nightmares, flashbacks, or thoughts of the event that seem to come from nowhere. They often avoid things that remind them of the event—for example, someone who was hurt in a car crash might avoid driving.

PTSD can make people feel very nervous or ‘on edge’ all the time. Many feel startled very easily, have a hard time concentrating, feel irritable, or have problems sleeping well. They may often feel like something terrible is about to happen, even when they are safe. Some people feel very numb and detached. They may feel like things around them aren’t real, feel disconnected from their body or thoughts, or have a hard time feeling emotions.

While most people experience trauma at some point in their life, not all traumatic experiences lead to PTSD. We aren’t sure why trauma causes PTSD in some people but not others, but it’s likely linked to many different factors. This includes the length of time the trauma lasted, the number of other traumatic experiences in a person’s life, their reaction to the event, and the kind of support they received after the event.

Some jobs or occupations put people in dangerous situations. Military personnel, first responders (police, firefighters, and paramedics), doctors, and nurses experience higher rates of PTSD than other professions.

Who does it affect?

Trauma is not always a single event in the past. Some trauma, particularly repeated acts like abuse or trauma during wartime, can impact a person’s life far beyond the symptoms of PTSD. Some use other terms like ‘complex PTSD’ to describe these experiences.

Though 5% of people in Canada reported that a health professional had diagnosed them with PTSD, 8% met the criteria for probable PTSD based on symptoms they experienced. This figure indicates the prevalence of PTSD symptoms among Canadians and helps estimate the proportion of Canadians who have undiagnosed PTSD.

The good news Is that PTSD is treatable.

With support, people can recover from PTSD and the effects of trauma. Recovery is good for the entire family, especially for young people who are still learning how to interact with the world. A loved one’s recovery is a chance for everyone to learn the skills that support wellness.

How can I help a loved one?

When someone is diagnosed with PTSD, loved ones can also experience a lot of difficulties. You may feel guilty or angry about the trauma itself—then, on top of those feelings, experience difficulties around PTSD. You may feel like your loved one is a different person, worry that things will never be normal, or wonder what will happen in the future. Here are some tips to help you cope:

• Start by learning more about PTSD. This can give you a better idea of your loved one’s experiences.
• People who experience PTSD may withdraw from family and friends. Even if your loved one doesn’t want to talk, you can still remind them that you are there to listen when they’re ready.
• Understand that behaviours related to PTSD—like avoiding certain situations or reacting angrily to a minor problem—are not about you. They are about the illness.
• While it’s usually not a good idea to support behaviours that create problems, it’s still important to support your loved one’s overall movement toward wellness. This balance is not always easy, but you need to respect your own boundaries, too.
• Ask what you can do to help, but don’t push unwanted advice.
• Try to put your own feelings into words and encourage your loved one to do the same. It’s easier to solve problems or look at conflicts when you know what’s really going on.
• Take care of your own wellness, and seek support for yourself if you experience difficulties.
• If a loved one’s PTSD is affecting other family members, it may be helpful to seek family counselling.

Resources

• Articles
• Books
• Videos
• For Teens
• Personal Stories
• Brochure

Additional Resources

• Helping Children and Adolescents Cope With Traumatic Events
• NIMH-Funded Researcher Discusses PTSD
• Rally Point Retreat
• Landing Strong
• Psychologists who specialize in PTSD
• Affordable Therapy Network
• PTSD Association of Canada

Sources: Statistics Canada, PTSD Association of Canada, CMHA National