Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Overview

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a natural emotional response to frightening or dangerous experiences that involve actual or threatened serious harm to oneself or others. However, for some people, the thoughts or memories of these events seriously affect their lives, long after any real danger has passed. These types of experiences are called “traumatic.”

Signs & Symptoms

PTSD usually appears within three months of the event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear for years. Common symptoms include:

• re-experiencing the traumatic event over and over
• having recurring nightmares
• experiencing unwanted, disturbing memories of the event
• acting or feeling as if the event is happening again
• feeling upset when reminded of the event
• staying away from activities, places or people that are reminders of the traumatic experience
• avoiding friends and family
• losing interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
• experiencing difficulty having loving feelings
• being unable to feel pleasure
• constantly worrying
• having a hard time concentrating
• getting angry easily
• having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• fearing harm from others
• experiencing sudden attacks of dizziness, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath
• having fears of dying.

Causes & Risk Factors

PTSD is a response to traumatic life events, such as car crashes, fires, bombings, rape, torture or seeing a family member, friend or other person harmed or killed. Being involved in a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, flood or earthquake, can also lead to PTSD.

Some people experience traumatic events and do not develop PTSD. Many factors play a part in whether a person will develop the disorder. Risk factors make a person more likely to get PTSD, whereas protective factors reduce the likelihood of developing the disorder.

Risk factors for PTSD include:

• experiencing dangerous events and trauma in the past
• having a history of mental health or substance use problems
• feeling helplessness or extreme fear
• having a small support system after the traumatic event
• feeling guilt, shame or responsibility for the event or its outcome
• experiencing additional stress after the event (e.g. loss of a loved one, pain and injury, loss of a job or home).

Protective factors that may reduce the risk of developing PTSD include:

• having support from other people, such as friends and family
• participating in a support group after a traumatic event
• feeling confident about one’s own actions regarding the event
• having a coping strategy or a way of getting through the traumatic event
• being able to act and respond effectively despite feeling fear.

Diagnosis & Treatment

People can recover from PTSD. Some recover in six months, while others take much longer. Everyone’s experience is different.

Trauma counselling or therapy can be done individually or in a group, and can be very helpful for people with PTSD. Family counselling and individual treatment can help with relationship troubles. Psychiatrists and family doctors can prescribe medication for depression, nervousness and sleep problems, which are common in people with PTSD. Medication works best when a person is also in counselling. Therapy should be adapted to best suit each client.

Having support following a traumatic event is very important for those with PTSD. Some examples of helpful supports include:

• family service agencies
• community mental health agencies
• counsellors or therapists
• family doctors
• community health centres
• religious leaders
• settlement agencies
• workplace employee assistance programs (EAPs).

Sources:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder © 2006 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Post-traumatic stress disorder © 2016 National Institute of Mental Health

Related Programs and Services

• Treatment from CAMH: Access CAMH  
• Help for families from CAMH
• ConnexOntario
• Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture  

Additional Resources

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CAMH Store)
• Trauma: Common Questions