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Learn about PTSD
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by experiencing traumatic
events, such as combat situations, physical or sexual assaults, disasters, terrorist attacks and
serious accidents. PTSD includes three types of symptoms.
1. Re-experiencing or reliving the trauma, such as having flashbacks, nightmares, or
becoming very upset when reminded of the trauma.
2. Avoiding or staying away from places or people because they remind you of the trauma,
isolating yourself from others, and/or feeling numb.
3. Increased arousal such as feeling on guard, being irritable, trouble sleeping or startling
easily.
Symptoms may lead to problems in functioning in social or family life, at work and at school.
In Canada, you may hear the term "operational stress injury," or OSI, which is used to describe
any persistent psychological difficulty resulting from operational duties performed by a
Canadian Forces or a Royal Canadian Mounted Police member. Operational stress injury
describes a broad range of problems that usually result in impairment in functioning, including
PTSD and other diagnosed medical conditions such as anxiety and depression, as well as a range
of less severe conditions.
How does PTSD develop?
After a trauma, it's normal to have painful memories and to become upset when reminded of
what has happened. The trauma can also affect how people think about themselves, others, the
world and the future. For most, these reactions lessen over time and thinking returns to
normal. For some, however, the reactions continue and are severe; they disrupt living, and
beliefs remain negative and intense. How people respond to these early, normal reactions can,
in part, determine if PTSD develops. For example, because memories and reminders of the
trauma are painful, it makes sense to want to avoid them. However, too much avoidance can
prevent a person from adequately dealing with the memories and reminders and from making
sense of what happened. This may lead normal trauma reactions to become more lasting PTSD
symptoms.
How common is PTSD?
Although most people recover after a psychological trauma, it is not uncommon for people to
develop PTSD. About 9% of Canadians will have PTSD in their lifetime. About 7.2% of Canadian
Regular Force members will develop PTSD in their lifetime. This is consistent with the
worldwide prevalence of PTSD, which ranges between 7% and 12%. Women develop it more
often than men. Certain types of trauma, such as those related to combat and rape, can cause
higher rates.
Who develops PTSD?
Developing PTSD is not a sign of weakness. Virtually anyone can develop PTSD. However, there
are some factors that can make it more likely. These include being female, having a prior
trauma, having been abused as a child, having a pre-existing mental health problem, and having
a family history of mental illness.
Reactions during a trauma can increase your risk. For example, believing you will die, feeling
detached from yourself or your surroundings, feeling completely helpless, and having a panic
attack are signs that the event was especially traumatic. Being seriously injured also puts one at
higher risk.
Risk factors after a trauma include lack of social support and experiencing additional life
stressors (e.g., job loss, divorce).
How long does PTSD last?
PTSD symptoms usually appear very soon after a trauma. For about 70% of people, these
symptoms go away on their own in the weeks and months after the trauma. For some (about
30%), the symptoms can last for many years. For some individuals, PTSD symptoms can stay at
a fairly constant level of severity. Other individuals can have periods when symptoms are not
very intense and other times when symptoms are severe. PTSD symptoms can worsen during
times of stress or when trauma survivors are reminded of the trauma (e.g., anniversary dates).
How long PTSD lasts also depends on whether or not effective treatment is received.
Related problems
Other problems also commonly occur alongside PTSD. These include depression, other anxiety
disorders, and alcohol and substance abuse. A significant number of those with PTSD also have
alcohol problems and/or depression. PTSD also can reduce one's ability to function in
relationships, at work and school, and in leisure activities. In addition, people with PTSD may
suffer physical symptoms and may be at increased risk of medical problems.
PTSD treatment
PTSD is treated with psychotherapy or medication, or a combination of both. The most effective
treatments for PTSD for many people are exposure-based cognitive-behavioural therapies
(CBT). These treatments involve exploring how the trauma has negatively affected one's
thinking and helping individuals think in more balanced ways about what happened and what it
might mean. Treatment may also include having the individuals spend time safely, and with
support, with the painful trauma memories and reminders that they've been avoiding, seeing
that they can survive them and be OK. Individuals are also taught coping skills to more
effectively deal with stress and manage PTSD symptoms, much like the skills available in the
PTSD Coach Canada Application.
Do I have PTSD?
Only a trained mental health professional can determine if you have PTSD. However, there are
self-tests, including the one in the PTSD Coach Canada Application, which can help you decide if
your symptoms require a more thorough evaluation from a mental health professional. If you
suspect that you have PTSD, talk with your doctor or schedule an evaluation with a mental
health professional. Also, it is important to remember that some people may develop other
conditions, such as depression, after experiencing a trauma.
If your trauma was less than 3 months ago and you are not in too much distress or not having
problems functioning at work, in your relationships or at school, then you may just want to
watch and wait to see if your symptoms get better on their own. Using the tools in the PTSD
Coach Canada Application can help. If your symptoms do not get better after 3 months, seek
professional help.
I have PTSD. How can the PTSD Coach Canada Application help me?
If you've been diagnosed with PTSD, the tools in the PTSD Coach Canada Application may help
you better manage your symptoms. However, it is not intended or designed as a replacement
for more traditional forms of therapy. If you are currently receiving treatment for PTSD, it's
important to talk with your mental health professional about using this app.