Everything You Want to Know About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

What is PTSD

Many of us experience fear-provoking situations that can cause a stressful reaction, feelings of nervousness, or avoidance of situations that are similar to the one that brought on fear. These thoughts and feelings are completely normal, and generally diffuse over time to the point where you can go back to your every day activities with little to no worries over the experience.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness that can occur when an individual experiences a situation that is so traumatic (i.e. death, sexual assault, injury, war) that it affects their day-to-day activities, relationships with loved ones, sleep, concentration, career and overall feelings of positivity and happiness, and does not go away as easily as other situations. The Canadian Mental Health Association reports that 1 in 10 people will suffer from PTSD, and is among one of the most common mental health issues.

Symptoms of PTSD

Symptoms of PTSD can begin within a few months after the traumatic event and can sometimes take years for symptoms to surface. PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four major types: Avoidance; Intrusive thoughts or memories; Negative mood or changes in thought; and, emotional reactions. If you are worried that you or a loved one may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD, here are some symptoms to look for:

Avoidance: Not speaking of the event; avoidance of people, places or events that trigger memories of the traumatic event

Intrusive thoughts and memories: Flashbacks (reliving the trauma); physical and emotional reactions when reminded of the event; unwanted memories and thoughts of the event

Negative mood or changes in thought: Lack of interest in activities or seeing people that you used to enjoy; feelings of hopelessness and depression; mostly negative thoughts and very little positive thoughts; difficulty with relationships

Emotional reactions: Irritable behaviour; anger issues; guilt and survivor’s guilt; alcohol and drug abuse to cope with the trauma; frightened easily (i.e. a loud bang); insomnia; thoughts of suicide

PTSD and First Responders

Global News (http://globalnews.ca/news/1457826/13-first-responders-13-suicides-10-weeks/) recently reported a staggering statistic in Canada, stating 13 first responders have committed suicide in the past 10 weeks. Global News also shared a study conducted in Michigan that explains how 24% of first responders (police officers, fire fighters, paramedics) have PTSD, which is 3 times the rate of the general population.

Many of these organizations have resources for their staff to seek help, such as in-house psychologists, or benefits to seek private help. However, many first responders do not want to come forward due to the stigma that is still, unfortunately, attached to mental health issues. Many fear being judged by their colleagues or getting let go of their job, and it becomes a battle of living with PTSD in silence for many first responders and individuals in other lines of work with similar issues.

So, what can we do? We can talk about it, educate, prevent and raise awareness. The more we know about PTSD and recognizing the signs and symptoms, the more we can do to help, prevent and treat the issues. Crisis intervention plays a major role and can help steer individuals in the right direction to gain access to effective resources. There continues to be a stigma with mental health disorders and PTSD, and awareness can help break down this stigma. Various treatments and forms of therapy can also help individuals living with PTSD and trauma.

Treatment for PTSD

In an interesting documentary on PTSD and veterans of war, 60 Minutes takes a look into a form of therapy called Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) to help treat people that have experienced trauma. This form of therapy is usually used on victims of sexual violence, assault and abuse, and is now being used to treat veterans with PTSD.

PE therapy consists of three main components: breathing (to relax, reduce anxiety and stress); “In Vivo” exposure (meaning “real world” exposure, to approach situations that are safe but that have been avoided due to the relation with trauma); and, imaginal exposure (talking through the trauma and replaying the situation over and over so the individual can gain control over their emotions, thoughts and feelings about the traumatic event).

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is another form of therapy that can help people living with PTSD to understand and change their thoughts and behaviours, as well as learn how to change you think about the trauma that you went through. Cognitive Therapy also helps an individual learn that the traumatic event was not their fault. To learn more about CBT, check out our KMA Therapy website and section on CBT: http://wordpress-248195-768217.cloudwaysapps.com/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-toronto.html

Another form of therapy that can help is having a psychiatric service dog. In a study performed through the Psychiatric Service Dog Society, 82% of people with PTSD reported a reduction in symptoms, and 40% were able to reduce their prescribed medication once being partnered with the dog. Psychiatric service dogs can help reduce anxiety, stress and fear in an individual suffering from PTSD and can improve the quality of life. To learn more information about this form of therapy, visit the Canadian Service Dog Foundation at: http://servicedog.ca/node/67.

Resources

If you would like to learn more about different resources in Canada, check out some of these links that are geared towards individuals that are living with PTSD, support for family, first responders and PTSD and where to receive help:

- KMA Therapy (for counseling services and more information on PTSD): http://wordpress-248195-768217.cloudwaysapps.com/ptsd-counselling-toronto.html

- Operational Stress Injury Social Support (those who have experienced psychological difficulties while serving in the Canadian Forces): http://www.osiss.ca/en/

- Canadian Mental Health Association (to learn more about mental health issues): http://www.cmha.ca/mental-health/

- Suicide Prevention (to find a local crisis centre): http://suicideprevention.ca/

- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (various resources for PTSD): http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/health_information/a_z_mental_health_and_addiction_information/Post-traumatic/Pages/pstd.aspx

- Toronto Distress Centres (for anonymous help at any time, dial 416-408-HELP): https://www.torontodistresscentre.com/

*If you or someone you know might be in crisis, emergency or immediate risk of suicide, dial 911 immediately.

References:

Armstrong, J. (2014). 13 first responders, 13 suicides, 10 weeks. Global News, retrieved from http://globalnews.ca/news/1457826/13-first-responders-13-suicides-10-weeks/

Bergland, C. (2013). Two new PTSD treatments offer hope for veterans. Psychology Today, retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201311/two-new-ptsd-treatments-offer-hope-veteransCanadian Service Dog Foundation. (2014). Post-traumatic stress disorder, retrieved from http://servicedog.ca/node/67

Mayo Clinic. (2014). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/basics/definition/con-20022540