Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Traumatic events that can trigger PTSD include harm that may have happened to a loved one, witnessing a harmful event, experiencing a violent personal assault such as rape or mugging; shootings, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat. Immigrants who experienced violence in their home countries, military personnel, emergency responders and survivors of earthquakes, floods or fires are all at risk for developing PTSD. Families of victims can also develop the disorder. The symptoms created by the condition can be overwhelming to those living with its effects and in some instances completely debilitating to the afflicted individual. PTSD can develop at any age, including in childhood. Symptoms typically begin within 3 months of a traumatic event, although occasionally they do not begin until years later. Once PTSD occurs, the severity and duration of the illness varies. Some people recover within 6 months, while other suffer much longer. Fortunately, through research supported by a variety of government and public agencies, effective treatments have been developed to help people with PTSD. Research is also helping scientists better understand the condition and how it affects the brain and the rest of the body. Vince Savoia is the Executive Director and founder of The Tema Conter Memorial Trust in King City, Ontario. It is an organization that provides a variety of services to support men and women workers of correctional, emergency and military services who experience difficulties as a result of the work they do. Mr. Savoia has an extensive background in crisis intervention and peer support and expertise in work-related mental health and wellness. Through this video, he shares his knowledge and experience to bring greater awareness of PTSD. Mr. Savoia identifies the common signs and symptoms of PTSD and provides the distress and crisis worker with specific information to apply in their work with this important mental health issue. Questions for Further Consideration: 1. What causes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? Who Is Most Likely To Develop PTSD? Living through or seeing something that's upsetting and dangerous can cause PTSD. This can include: Being a victim of violence, or seeing violence War or combat Car accidents and plane crashes Hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires Violent crimes, like a robbery or shooting. The death or serious illness of a loved one Strong emotions caused by the event create changes in the brain that may result in PTSD. Additional risk factors for PTSD include: Having a history of mental illness Getting hurt Seeing people hurt or killed Feeling horror, helplessness, or extreme fear Having little or no social support after the event Dealing with extra stress after the event, such as loss of a loved one, pain and injury, or loss of a job or home. 2. What Are The Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? PTSD symptoms usually start soon after the traumatic event, but they may not appear until months or years later. They also may come and go over many years. There are four types of symptoms: Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms) One may have bad memories or nightmares or may feel like they are going through the event again. This is called a flashback. Avoiding situations that remind one of the event A person may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event and may even avoid talking or thinking about the event. Negative changes in beliefs and feelings The way the person thinks about themselves and others may change because of the trauma. They may feel fear, guilt, or shame. Or, they may not be interested in activities they used to enjoy. This is another way to avoid memories. Feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousal) A person may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. Or, they may have trouble concentrating or sleeping. This is known as hyperarousal. http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/PTSD-overview/basics/what-is-ptsd.asp(Traumatic events that can trigger PTSD include harm that may have happened to a loved one, witnessing a harmful event, experiencing a violent personal assault such as rape or mugging; shootings, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat. Immigrants who experienced violence in their home countries, military personnel, emergency responders and survivors of earthquakes, floods or fires are all at risk for developing PTSD. Families of victims can also develop the disorder. The symptoms created by the condition can be overwhelming to those living with its effects and in some instances completely debilitating to the afflicted individual. PTSD can develop at any age, including in childhood. Symptoms typically begin within 3 months of a traumatic event, although occasionally they do not begin until years later. Once PTSD occurs, the severity and duration of the illness varies. Some people recover within 6 months, while other suffer much longer. Fortunately, through research supported by a variety of government and public agencies, effective treatments have been developed to help people with PTSD. Research is also helping scientists better understand the condition and how it affects the brain and the rest of the body. Vince Savoia is the Executive Director and founder of The Tema Conter Memorial Trust in King City, Ontario. It is an organization that provides a variety of services to support men and women workers of correctional, emergency and military services who experience difficulties as a result of the work they do. Mr. Savoia has an extensive background in crisis intervention and peer support and expertise in work-related mental health and wellness. Through this video, he shares his knowledge and experience to bring greater awareness of PTSD. Mr. Savoia identifies the common signs and symptoms of PTSD and provides the distress and crisis worker with specific information to apply in their work with this important mental health issue. Questions for Further Consideration: 1. What causes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? Who Is Most Likely To Develop PTSD? Living through or seeing something that's upsetting and dangerous can cause PTSD. This can include: Being a victim of violence, or seeing violence War or combat Car accidents and plane crashes Hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires Violent crimes, like a robbery or shooting. The death or serious illness of a loved one Strong emotions caused by the event create changes in the brain that may result in PTSD. Additional risk factors for PTSD include: Having a history of mental illness Getting hurt Seeing people hurt or killed Feeling horror, helplessness, or extreme fear Having little or no social support after the event Dealing with extra stress after the event, such as loss of a loved one, pain and injury, or loss of a job or home. 2. What Are The Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? PTSD symptoms usually start soon after the traumatic event, but they may not appear until months or years later. They also may come and go over many years. There are four types of symptoms: Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms) One may have bad memories or nightmares or may feel like they are going through the event again. This is called a flashback. Avoiding situations that remind one of the event A person may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event and may even avoid talking or thinking about the event. Negative changes in beliefs and feelings The way the person thinks about themselves and others may change because of the trauma. They may feel fear, guilt, or shame. Or, they may not be interested in activities they used to enjoy. This is another way to avoid memories. Feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousal) A person may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. Or, they may have trouble concentrating or sleeping. This is known as hyperarousal. http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/PTSD-overview/basics/what-is-ptsd.asp (https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/what/index.asp) 3. Can PTSD lead to other problems? Untreated, PTSD can lead to many problems, and can essentially prevent a person from leading a normal life. In particular, PTSD can contribute to: Drinking or drug problems Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair Employment problems Relationships problems including divorce and violence Physical symptoms Because of all the ways that PTSD can disrupt not just the person's life but the lives of friends and family, it makes it all the more important to get help and treatment for PTSD. Glossary: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to traumatic events where one was exposed to or witnessed danger, such as with violence or disasters. Tema Conter Memorial Trust: A Canadian organization that provides a variety of services to support men and women workers of correctional, emergency and military services who experience difficulties as a result of the work they do. They offer assistance through research, education, training, and through the provision of peer and psychological support. Links to additional resources: https://www.facebook.com/temasfoundation/ (https://www.facebook.com/temasfoundation/) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Canadian Mental Health Association Canadian Mental Health Association PTSD Association of Canada Assessments — PTSD Association of Canada https://cpa.ca/sections/traumaticstress/simplefacts/ (https://cpa.ca/sections/traumaticstress/simplefacts/) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | MacAnxiety Research Centre Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (All Ages): Ontario: eMentalHealth.ca TRAUMA-PTSD - Resources Ontario decides to give first responders workplace insurance coverage for PTSD - Toronto - CBC News Learn about PTSD - Publications - Mental Health - Health and well being - Services - Veterans Affairs Canada A Natural Approach to Support Clients in Recovery for PTSD - Bellwood Health Services