Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Through no fault of their own, many people suffer greatly on a daily basis from events that have recently happened or have happened in the distant past leaving them feeling restricted as a result of their symptoms.​

Consider the following statistics:

  • ​Canada has one of the highest incidences of PTSD in 24 countries studied.
  • 9.2% of Canadians or 9 in 100 people will suffer from PTSD in their lifetime
  • ​Anyone can develop PTSD at any age
  • PTSD can develop even if never having directly experienced trauma
  • Females are more likely to experience PTSD
  • Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD
  • The symptoms can be as unique as the individual
  • Sexual Assault is more likely to trigger PTSD than most other traumas
  • PTSD symptoms don’t always appear right away
  • Vicarious trauma (or emotional residue) can be transferred from one person to another such as a parent to a child or from a client to a trauma worker or first responder
  • Those experiencing social, economic, educational disadvantage or racism are more likely to suffer
  • PTSD is linked to an experience or event that violates your expectations
  • If you live in a part of the world that is considered safe and something happens, it might be harder for you to recover​
– The PTSD Association of Canada

What are the signs of post traumatic stress disorder?

For Adults and Teens:
  • Re-experiencing: This is the most common symptom.
  • It often takes the form of flashbacks, nightmares, repetitive and distressing images or sensations, sweating, pain, nausea and trembling.
  • Avoidance: Avoiding certain people and places that remind the person of the experience.
  • Distraction: Many people avoid talking about the trauma – and may distract themselves with work or hobbies.
  • Numbness: Some people attempt to numb their emotions completely, which can lead to them becoming isolated and withdrawn.
  • Hyper-arousal: Leading to angry outbursts, irritability, insomnia and a lack of concentration.
  • Other mental health problems: Including depression, anxiety or phobias.
  • Self-harming or drug/alcohol misuse.
  • Physical symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, chest pains and tummy aches.
For Children:
  • Avoidance of places, people, and activities that are reminders of the trauma
  • Bed wetting
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Easily irritated and angered
  • Emotional numbness
  • Feeling jumpy
  • Increased arousal such as difficulty sleeping
  • Physical symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, chest pains and tummy aches.
  • Re-enacting traumatic events through play
  • Re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive distressing recollections of the event, flashbacks, and nightmares; and
  • Separation anxiety

See below for additional reading on this subject and the related stressors accompanying this disorder: