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When the Fear Doesn’t Fade: Understanding PTSD
May 28, 2025
June 27 is PTSD Awareness Day—a time to shine a light on the realities of living with trauma, challenge harmful misconceptions, and remind those affected that they are not alone. By fostering greater understanding and compassion, we can reduce stigma and help more people access the support they need to heal.
Many of us have experienced moments of intense fear or distress—like narrowly avoiding a car accident or rushing a loved one to the emergency room. For most, those feelings eventually pass.
But for some, a sense of danger lingers. They may feel constantly on edge, experience nightmares or flashbacks, avoid reminders of what happened, or feel emotionally numb. When these symptoms persist and begin to interfere with daily life, it could be a sign of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
What is PTSD
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event — such as violence, accidents, natural disasters, or serious injury. While trauma is common, not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD. According to recent findings from Statistics Canada’s Survey on Mental Health and Stressful Events (SMHSE), nearly two-thirds (63%) of adults in Canada have experienced at least one potentially traumatic event in their lifetime. However, around 8% reported symptoms consistent with moderate to severe PTSD.
Symptoms often include:
- Distressing, intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
- Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
- Feeling emotionally numb or detached
- Hypervigilance and being easily startled
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
What Does PTSD Look Like?
PTSD affects everyone differently, but common symptoms include:
- Intrusive thoughts – such as flashbacks, nightmares, or distressing memories.
- Avoidance – steering clear of places, people, or activities that are reminders of the trauma.
- Changes in mood or thinking – including negative thoughts about oneself or the world, emotional numbness, or loss of interest in things once enjoyed.
- Heightened arousal – like being easily startled, feeling constantly on edge, or having difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
PTSD is More Common Than You Think
There’s a common misconception that PTSD only affects soldiers, first responders, or people who have experienced extreme violence. While individuals in those roles do face increased risk due to repeated exposure to trauma, PTSD is not limited to any one profession or type of experience.
The truth is, anyone can experience trauma—and anyone can develop PTSD.
Trauma can take many forms. It might be a single, shocking event like an accident, assault, or natural disaster. But it can also result from ongoing or repeated exposure to difficult experiences—such as domestic violence, childhood abuse or neglect, medical trauma, loss of a loved one, or systemic discrimination.
PTSD can affect:
- A teenager who survived bullying or emotional abuse.
- A parent navigating the trauma of a complicated birth or NICU stay.
- A newcomer who fled conflict or persecution.
- A healthcare worker coping with the toll of the pandemic.
- An elder still carrying unprocessed pain from earlier in life.
It doesn’t matter how “big” or “small” the trauma seems. What matters is its impact on the individual.
People of all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds can develop PTSD. And because symptoms can take weeks, months, or even years to appear, it often goes unrecognized or misunderstood.
Recovery is Possible
With the right support, people living with PTSD can heal and reclaim their lives. Treatment may involve:
- Therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), or trauma-informed approaches.
- Medication, if recommended by a healthcare provider.
- Peer support, which offers understanding and connection through shared experiences.
- Self-care strategies, including grounding exercises, mindfulness, and stress management techniques.
Strength in Seeking Help
Reaching out for help is not a sign of failure—it’s an act of strength. Whether you’re speaking with a trusted friend, connecting with a mental health professional, or joining a peer support group, taking that first step is a brave and important part of the healing journey. No one should have to navigate PTSD alone. Support is available, and recovery is possible.
If you or someone you love is struggling with symptoms of PTSD, help is available. On PTSD Awareness Day, let’s raise our voices to increase understanding, reduce stigma, and ensure that healing is within reach for everyone affected by trauma.
Resources
- PTSD Association of Canada
- Landing Strong
- Wounded Warriors
- Cracked Armour
- Boots on the Ground
- PTSD Alliance
- Brochure – CMHA –NS – PTSD
- CMHA-NS – PTSD
Additional Resources
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Information for Refugees and New Immigrants (PDF)
- Women: What Do These Signs Have in Common? (PDF)
- Women, Abuse And Trauma Therapy: An Information Guide (PDF)