If you are in an emergency, in crisis or need someone to talk to, there is help.

View Crisis Resouces
Skip to content
  • Contact Us
  • No One Left Behind
  • Join our team
  • Vaccine Clinic
  • Accessibility
  • EN FR
CAMH logo
  • Your Care
    • Main Page
    • Access CAMH & Referral Form
      • Access CAMH

        Centralized information, intake and scheduling. Access CAMH makes it easy to find support – simply call 416-535-8501, option 2.

      • Referral Form

        For mental health services, a referral form needs to be completed by a healthcare provider. For addictions services, patient can self-refer.

    • Programs & Services
      • Addictions/Substance Use
      • Aggression & Behavioural Issues
      • Alzheimer’s & Dementia
      • Anxiety & Depression
      • Concurrent Disorders
      • Developmental Disabilities
      • Mood & Personality Disorders
      • Problem Gambling
      • Schizophrenia & Psychosis
      • Trauma & Stress Disorders
      • Virtual Mental Health and Outreach
      • Other
    • Patient Wellness
    • Planning Your Care
      • Supporting Families

        Family members play an essential role the recovery of a loved one. The Office of Family Engagement is here for you.

      • Staying at CAMH

        Be prepared with all the info you need to make your inpatient experience at CAMH as comfortable as possible.

    • Your Rights
      • Client Relations
      • Bill of Client Rights
      • Empowerment Council
      • Legal Rights, Protection of Health Info & Access to Records
    • Visiting CAMH
      • Visiting CAMH

        Planning on visiting CAMH? Find contact information, directions and accessibility for each of our three main sites.

        Read More
  • Health Info _
    • Main Page
    • Mental Illness & Addiction Index
      • Conditions & Disorders
      • Medication Therapies
      • Substance Use
      • Types of Treatment
      • Information in Other Languages
    • Mental Health 101
      • Mental Health 101

        Use this series of free online tutorials as the starting point to learn about and understand a wide range of mental health topics.

        Read More
    • Guides & Publications
      • Guides & Publications

        Accessible, reliable, professionally produced resources on an array of mental health topics for patients, families, students and professionals.

        Read More
    • Crisis Resources
      • Crisis Resources

        If you are in an emergency, in crisis or need someone to talk to, there is a list of resources available for areas in and around Toronto.

        Read More
    • CAMH Store
      • CAMH Store

        The CAMH Store offers a wide array of mental illness and addiction resources for patients, families, students and professionals. Search or browse our catalogue of brochures and booklets, textbooks, manuals and assessment tools.

        Read More
    • CAMH Library
      • CAMH Library

        Open to professionals and the general public, our comprehensive resources and services support and enhance CAMH's research and clinical programs, and they facilitate learning, dynamic knowledge exchange and health promotion initiatives.

        Read More
    • Workplace Mental Health Playbook
    • Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic
      • Coping with stress & anxiety
      • Quarantine & isolation
      • Stigma and prejudice
      • Loss, grief and healing
      • Resources for Health Care Workers
  • Research
    • Main Page
    • Research Areas at CAMH
      • Brain Science

        CAMH is revolutionizing our understanding of the brain and the causes, biomarkers and treatments of mental illness.

      • Personalized Care

        By understanding diverse groups, we prevent, diagnose and care for each one with greater precision and personalization.

      • Prevention and Policy

        Using evidence, we drive system and social change to optimize care and reduce the burden of mental illness, including addictions, across populations.

    • The Discovery Fund
      • The Discovery Fund

        Fuelling the next generation of groundbreaking research and innovation dedicated to finding the causes of and cures for mental illness.

        Read More
    • Institutes & Centres
      • Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre
      • Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry
      • Brain Health Imaging Centre
      • Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute
      • Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder
      • Cundill Centre for Child and Youth Depression
      • Institute for Mental Health Policy Research
      • Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics
      • Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition
      • Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics
      • Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention
      • The Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child Youth & Family Mental Health
    • Clinical Divisions
      • Addictions Division
      • Adult Neurodevelopmental and Geriatric Psychiatry Division
      • Child and Youth Psychiatry Division
      • Forensic Psychiatry Division
      • General and Health Systems Psychiatry Division
      • Psychology Division
      • Schizophrenia Division
    • Research Discoveries
      • Research Discoveries

        At the leading edge of breakthrough mental health and addiction research for over 50 years.

      • BrainBuzz Newsletter

        The latest news, groundbreaking discoveries and special features about CAMH research, studies, and the people behind the work.

      • Research Strategic Plan

        Learn what drives our research agenda and priorities in the CAMH Research Plan for 2018-2023

    • Research Connect
      • Research Connect FAQs
      • Research Ethics
    • Research Students & Fellows
      • Research Students & Fellows

        Train in a unique and welcoming learning environment with Canada's leading scientists in mental illness and addiction.

        Read More
    • Science & Research Staff Directory
      • Our Scientific Staff
      • Research Chairs at CAMH
    • Tech Transfer & Industry Partnerships
  • Education
    • Main Page
    • Continuing Education Programs and Courses
      • Find the Course That's Right for You

        Browse our entire selection of certificate programs, webinars and workshops.

      • Workplace Education and Consulting

        View our full list of workplace mental health workshops and consulting services

    • Collaborative Learning College
    • Simulation Centre
    • Student Centre
    • Clinical & Research Opportunities for Professionals in Training
      • Clinical Psychology Training Programs
      • Community-Based Research Fellowship
      • Graduate & Post-Doctoral Fellowships in Public Health Policy
      • Clinical & Research Opportunities for Professionals in Training

        Study in a world-class setting to become a leader in the field of mental health.

    • Academic & Education Research Excellence
      • Academic & Education Research Excellence

        Inspired teaching fosters inspired learning – CAMH improves the quality of care for all through excellence in professional education.

        Read More
    • CAMH Business Development Office Contacts
    • CAMH Education Contacts
  • Professionals
    • Main Page
    • Treating Conditions and Disorders
      • Adult ADHD
      • Anxiety Disorders
      • Canadian Opioid Use Disorder Guideline
      • Dementia
      • Depression
      • Disability & insurance claims in primary care
      • Eating Disorders
      • Fundamentals of Addiction
      • Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
      • Mania
      • OCD
      • Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
      • Personality Disorders
      • Psychosis
      • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
      • Sleep Disorders
      • Smoking Cessation
      • Suicide Risk
      • Psychiatric Interviewing
      • The CARIBOU Pathway by CAMH
    • Professionals Projects
      • Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project
      • Opioid Use in Primary Care Conference 2023
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
  • Get Involved
    • Main Page
    • Ways to Donate
      • Give Monthly
      • Give In Memory or In Honour
      • Explore the Giving Hub
      • Start a Fundraiser
      • Gifts of Celebration
      • Leave a Gift in Your Will
      • Employee Matching & Payroll Deduction
      • Donate Goods & Services
      • Gifts of Securities
      • Canvassers & Callers
      • Make a one-time donation

        With your support, CAMH researchers are revolutionizing the ways we diagnose, treat, and prevent mental illness. Donate today.

    • Join the Cause
      • Business Leaders for Mental Health Action
      • Visionary Society
      • Michael Wilson Society
      • CAMH Engage
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Volunteer at CAMH
    • Putting Your Donations to Work
      • Putting Your Donations to Work

        Every donation you make to CAMH enables us to directly help Canadians living with mental illness— and countless more worldwide—through the discoveries we share.

        Read More
    • Making a Real Impact
      • Making a Real Impact

        Real stories of courage, hope and discovery. Made possible through your continued support of CAMH.

        Read More
  • Driving Change
    • Main Page
    • About CAMH
      • Leadership Team Directory
      • Performance & Accountability
      • The Role of CAMH Foundation
      • For Reporters
      • Events Calendar
      • For Our Neighbours
      • Contact CAMH
      • One CAMH: Strategic Plan 2020-2023
      • Careers at CAMH

        Interested in working at CAMH and making a difference? Put your skills and passion to work in a dynamic, supportive environment—and help transform lives and the future of mental health care.

    • The Crisis is Real
      • The Crisis is Real

        We are in the grips of a crisis that ruins health, threatens lives and hurts economies. Knowing the facts is the first step in creating hope.

      • Mental Health Statistics

        The latest facts and statistics on mental illness and addiction, who's affected and their impact on Canadians.

    • Addressing Stigma
      • Addressing Stigma

        Challenging the stigma associated with mental illness takes understanding, education and a closer look at our own attitudes toward health.

        Read More
    • The Mental Health Facility of the Future
      • The Mental Health Facility of the Future

        Turning what was once a walled institution into a symbol of hope for the future of mental health care.

      • Vision & Guiding Principles

        How do you replace an institution with an urban village? Lots of planning, imagination and a long-term commitment to serving patients, staff and the community.

      • History of Queen Street Site

        Our history—evolving from an asylum into a modern health facility with patients at the centre of care—is the history of mental health care in Canada.

    • Provincial System Support Program
      • Provincial System Support Program

        CAMH’s Provincial System Support Program collaborates to support the province’s Mental Health and Addictions Strategy and make sustainable, system-level change.

        Read More
    • Influencing Public Policy
      • Influencing Public Policy

        CAMH advocates for policies that are responsive to the needs of people with mental illness and addictions.

        Read More
    • Health Equity
      • Health Equity

        CAMH believes in the principle of equity. We respect the diversity of the individuals and communities we serve.

        Read More
    • Game Changers
    • Shkaabe Makwa
    • CAMH News & Stories
    • Contact Us
    • No One Left Behind
    • Join our team
    • Vaccine Clinic
    • Accessibility
    • EN FR

Trauma 

Common Questions

CAMH Logo
  • Trauma 
Back to top
  • Home
  • Health Info
  • Guides & Publications
  • Trauma - Common Questions

What is trauma?

We all respond to injury in different ways. Trauma is the emotional response when an injury overwhelms us.

The injury could be physical, sexual or emotional. Some of the most common traumatic events include:

  • physical assault
  • sexual assault, including childhood sexual abuse
  • verbal assault
  • being threatened with physical or sexual assault
  • witnessing violence against others
  • long-term neglect in childhood. 

How can trauma affect people?

Trauma can affect the way you feel.

You may experience some or all of the following:

  • too much emotion
  • too little or no emotion
  • depression
  • feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless
  • shame, fear
  • anger, rage
  • grief, sadness n anxiety, panic attacks.
Trauma can affect your ability to have satisfying relationships with others.

You may experience some of the following:

  • not knowing how to trust
  • difficulty being close to people
  • problems in sexual relationships
  • fear of others
  • isolation and withdrawal
  • not recognizing when you are in a dangerous situation
  • not knowing how to give and take in relationships
  • repeatedly searching for someone to rescue you.
Trauma can affect your body.

You may:

  • feel as if you were reliving the traumatic experience (these body memories and flashbacks can include seeing images, hearing voices or sounds, smelling odours, as well unexplained tastes and physical sensations)
  • have sleep problems, including nightmares
  • have physical complaints (e.g., head aches, nausea, stomach aches, pelvic pain, stomach/ digestive problems) for which no medical cause can be identified
  • feel physically exhausted.
Trauma can affect the way you think.

You may have:

  • problems with attention and concentration
  • confused thinking
  • thoughts that get in the way of daily activities
  • memory problems.
Trauma can affect the way you behave.

It can lead you to:

  • inflict self-injury (e.g., cutting, burning)
  • engage in behaviours such as self-starvation, binge-eating, alcohol and other drug misuse
  • constantly look for sexual relationships, or avoid sexual relationships
  • abuse others.

People who experience repeated trauma tend to suffer more severe effects. Also, the younger people were when they experienced the trauma, the more severe the effects will likely be. 

Can people “forget” that they experienced trauma, and later remember?

Yes. Research has shown that some people forget that they were abused or traumatized. Often, when something is too traumatic, it is forgotten but not lost from memory. This is especially so when the source of the trauma is another person. Sometimes, traumatic events are remembered later. When this happens, the person has often experienced something that reminds her or him of an original traumatic event.

For many people who receive mental health services, trauma remains unrecognized as an important factor in their mental illness.

Follow us
  • Your Care
  • Health Info
  • Science and Research
  • Education
  • Professionals
  • Get Involved
  • Driving Change
  • About CAMH
  • Job Openings
  • Purchase Publications
  • Referral Form
  • For Reporters
  • Donor Services
  • Events

CAMH Switchboard

From the GTA: 416 535-8501


Toll-free: 1 800 463-2338

To Access CAMH Clinical Services

416 535-8501, press 2

We have multiple locations. Find directions.

Map of CAMH's Queen Street Site
  • Staff Tools

Copyright 2023 CAMH

  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • Site Map
  • Language : EN FR

Keep in touch with CAMH

Keep your finger on our pulse – latest CAMH news, discoveries and ways to get involved delivered to your inbox.

Please select a newsletter

Please complete the following:

    Required Fields

    Please select a newsletter option

    Please input a first name

    Please input a last name

    Please input an email address

    By clicking Sign Up below, I consent to receive electronic communications (as selected above) from CAMH and CAMH Foundation. To unsubscribe at any time click the link in our mailing or email: unsubscribe@camh.ca

    Please agree to the Terms of Use

     

    Thanks for Subscribing.

    We look forward to keeping you informed, inspired and involved in all things CAMH.

    Give for a world where mental health is health

    Your donation will fund the groundbreaking mental health research that is helping people on the path to recovery.

    $
    Other Ways to Give
    Join our team