What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness that can develop after an individual experiences a traumatic event. Impacting millions of people around the world, PTSD not only affects a single individual, but also affects the people around them, like families, friends and coworkers. Throughout this post, we will dive into what PTSD is; the signs, symptoms, the impact it can have, as well as coping strategies for people who live with this mental illness.

Symptoms

The symptoms might sound confusing if you were to read the DSM-5 (a manual doctors consult when deciding if you have a disorder, like PTSD), but let's explain things more simply:

1. Being exposed to a traumatic situation involving death, threats, physical violence, or sexual abuse.

   • The trauma could have happened directly, to you.

   • You could see it happen to someone else.

   • You could hear about it happening to someone else.

   • You are repeatedly exposed to difficult situations involving the trauma, like having to give witness statements or meeting with social workers to discuss the trauma.

     
     

2. Experiencing at least one of these things after the traumatic event:

   • Intrusive memories about the trauma that you can't control.

   • Frequent scary dreams about the trauma.

   • Having flashbacks (feeling as if the trauma is happening again, right now).

   • Extreme mental reactions to things you now associate with the trauma.

   • Extreme physical reactions to things you associate with the trauma.

     
     

3. Avoiding things that remind you of the event, in at least one of the following ways:

   • Avoiding thoughts or emotions that relate to the trauma.

   • Avoiding people, places or things that remind you of the trauma.

     
     

4. Negative changes in the way you think, or feel, that present after the traumatic event, in at least one of the following ways:

   • Gaps in memory about the traumatic event (not due to a head injury).

   • Extreme negative beliefs, like no one can be trusted, or that you are completely broken.

   • Blaming yourself for the trauma, or other victims.

   • Always feeling angry, scared, shameful or guilty.

   • Not wanting to do things you would normally do.

   • Cannot experience positive emotions, like happiness, love or satisfaction.

     
     

5. Noticeable differences in how you react to things, that present after the traumatic event, in at least one of the following ways:

   • Being extremely irritable, or having angry outbursts, in a way that is out of proportion to the trigger.

   • Not caring about your own safety anymore.

   • Worrying too much about your own safety.

   • You are easy to startle; life is now a continual jump-scare.

   • Difficulty concentrating.

   • Sleep problems (falling asleep, staying asleep, or not having restful sleep).

     
     

6. Have been experiencing these disturbances for at least 1 month.

   
   

7. The problems make it difficult to function at home, school or work.

8. The problems cannot be linked to effects of a drug, a medication, or another health issue.

   (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).

We know this is a lot to take in, especially if you are worried that you, or someone you know, might have PTSD. We hope that this video will help with explaining the symptoms a bit more.

Risk Factors

Not everyone who has experienced trauma will develop PTSD. There are several factors that can increase the likelihood of an individual developing this order. These factors include things such as:

The Type of Trauma: Studies show that approximately 70% of adults will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime, but only around 5.6% will develop PTSD (Kessler, R.C, et al., 2017). The type of trauma that an individual experiences plays a significant role in determining the likelihood of developing PTSD.

Biological and Genetic Factors: Studies show that genetics can have a big impact on PTSD. Research on twins found that genetic risk factors can be responsible for 30-40% of the chances of developing PTSD (Almli et al., 2014). Any preexisting mental health conditions are also a huge factor. Those who already have other anxiety disorders, depression, or a substance abuse disorder are more likely to develop PTSD.

Level of Emotional Support: People who don’t receive emotional support after experiencing a traumatic event are also more likely to develop PTSD, compared to people who have social support.

Neural Basis

PTSD is associated with multiple changes in the brain. It affects the amygdala, which is like an alarm bell for threats, and is working on overdrive in PTSD. The prefrontal cortex, which helps to regulate emotions and control fear responses, is not as active as it should be, which makes it hard to cope with the perceived threats the amygdala is detecting. The hippocampus, responsible for storing long-term memories, is often smaller in PTSD, leading to further difficulties in categorizing past and present threats in the individual's life (Bremner, 2006). In other words, PTSD happens when the threat alarms go off more than usual (amygdala), there is an inability to control, or cope, with them (prefrontal cortex) and difficulty remembering positive associations you may have once had about certain places, or events (before the trauma).

Image by Domestic Violence Network https://dvnconnect.org/how-trauma-impacts-the-brain

Treatment Options

Private Therapists and Psychologists: Some people choose to see a private therapist or psychologist for PTSD treatment. Therapists can offer different types of therapy, like those listed below, to help people cope with trauma. Many therapists work in private clinics or online, making it easier to find support.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A widely used approach that helps individuals recognize and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with PTSD. Techniques like cognitive restructuring and trauma-focused CBT can be effective in reducing symptoms.

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A structured therapy that helps individuals process distressing memories through guided eye movements, reducing the emotional impact of traumatic experiences.

• Exposure Therapy: A type of behavioral therapy that gradually exposes individuals to trauma-related memories, feelings, or situations in a safe and controlled way to reduce fear and avoidance.

PTSD Coach App: This app provides self-help tools and information about PTSD. It is available for free, in Canada and the United States.

Support Groups: There are likely PTSD support groups in your area, or online, where you can connect with others who are dealing with similar issues. Do a quick Google search to see if there are any available in your area. Here are two online resources we recommend:

• Psychology Today: Offers a comprehensive directory to find trauma and PTSD support groups in both Canada and the U.S. You can search for groups based on location and specific needs.

  
  

• HealthUnlocked PTSD Support Group: An online community where individuals affected by PTSD can share experiences, seek advice, and find support.

Canada-Wide Resources:

• PTSD Association of Canada: A non-profit organization dedicated to educating and supporting those affected by PTSD. They offer resources and information on support groups nationwide.

United States Resources:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Offers peer-led support groups across the U.S. for individuals dealing with mental health conditions, including PTSD. These groups provide a platform to share experiences and gain support.

  
  

Conclusion

It is important to be aware of the signs of PTSD in case you, or someone you know, is experiencing this complex condition. If you have experienced a traumatic event, and are finding it difficult to process, don’t hesitate to look for support; help is always within reach. There are plenty of different treatment options created for people struggling with PTSD. Most importantly, remember that you are not alone. There are many treatment options available for PTSD, and finding the right one can make a significant difference in recovery. Whether you prefer one-on-one therapy, group support, or self-guided resources, there is something that can work for everyone. The key is to reach out and find what suits you best.

Call to Action

We want you to break the silence and find support. Check the links above to find a PTSD support group in your area, or download the PTSD Coach App. Are you worried about a friend? Help them with taking the first step and see if there is a support group in their area.

Image Credit: Mary Long/Shutterstock.

References

American Psychiatric Association, issuing body. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5-TR (5th ed, text revision.)

Banerjee, S. B., Morrison, F. G., & Ressler, K. J. (2017). Genetic approaches for the study of PTSD: Advances and challenges. Neuroscience letters, 649, 139-146.

Bremner J. D. (2006). Traumatic stress: effects on the brain. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 8(4), 445–461.

Kessler, R. C., et. al, (2017). Trauma and PTSD in the WHO world mental health surveys. European journal of psychotraumatology, 8(sup5), 1353383.

Symptoms and Strategies for PTSD in Children and Teens . YouTube. (n.d.). https://youtu.be/7HzYOxHNhNU?si=TiFBZIVuwx_57bb7

World Health Organization, (2024). Post-traumatic stress disorder. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/post-traumatic-stress-disorder