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Many people are affected by difficult events every year, but it can take a long time to get the right help. This article explains what post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is and how it can be treated.

What is trauma and PTSD?

Trauma is a psychological reaction to an event that is deeply unpleasant or stressful. It can be frightening situations where there have been threats to life or safety. You do not have to experience these events yourself to develop trauma. Witnessing or hearing about traumatic events can also cause you to develop trauma.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a medical diagnosis that describes a complex set of symptoms that can occur after experiencing a trauma. However, not everyone who has experienced trauma will develop PTSD.

In Canada, about 8% of the population suffers from PTSD, with many going untreated for a long time. Trauma and PTSD can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Help is available.

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How does untreated PTSD affect you?

If you have untreated PTSD for a long time, you can develop additional concerns such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, addiction, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and gastrointestinal diseases. It is estimated that half of people with addiction have underlying PTSD. Untreated PTSD can also increase the risk of someone attempting suicide.

It is also common for underlying PTSD to be missed or misdiagnosed. One study found that almost 50% of people with PTSD were misdiagnosed with depression.

Many people also avoid seeking help because they are afraid of the emotions involved in talking about traumatic memories. However, slowly unpacking traumatic memories in a controlled environment with a qualified professional can greatly improve your quality of life. It is important to get help if you have experienced trauma. At Lavendla, we have psychologists with experience in treating PTSD.


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Symptoms of trauma and PTSD

If you experience or witness a traumatic event, you usually first suffer an acute stress reaction. This involves an initial shock reaction with strong feelings of unreality that can last for up to three days. Then you usually enter a phase where you have symptoms similar to PTSD with feelings of unreality, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, difficulties with routines and various physical symptoms such as heart palpitations. This phase can last up to four weeks, and often the symptoms resolve themselves. If they don’t, you may have developed post-traumatic stress disorder and may need more help. The symptoms of PTSD are:

  • Re-experiencing the trauma through nightmares or flashbacks.
  • Avoidance of feelings, places and situations that remind you of the trauma
  • Impact on thoughts and feelings with numbness, difficulty remembering things, negative feelings such as guilt, shame and anger, as well as impact on self-image and negative thoughts about the outside world
  • Increased activity in the nervous system which can lead to insomnia, irritation and difficulty concentrating.

How you react to trauma is also individual and depends on your history and the support you have in life. Factors affecting whether or not you will develop PTSD include how you solve problems, whether you have good self-confidence and trust, and whether you have experienced previous trauma. Women are also twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. It is important to get an individual assessment.

Untreated PTSD in children

Children can react differently to trauma than adults. It can be more difficult to detect because children do not have as developed language and cognitive abilities as adults. They may show similar symptoms of anxiety, fear, (unexplained) crying and anger, sleep problems with nightmares and also possibly bed wetting. Children may become clingy, have difficulty being alone or act younger than they are. If the child is older, they may understand more of what is happening, but the problems may still show up at school or during play.

The symptoms of PTSD in children can also be similar to ADHD, so a thorough assessment is important. A distinction is also made between type 1 and type 2 trauma. Type 1 is a single event such as an accident or natural disaster. However, type 2 is more complex and occurs over a longer period of time, such as domestic violence, sexual abuse or assault. Being abused by another person tends to make traumatization more severe. The earlier the child receives the right diagnosis and treatment, the better it is for the child’s development. Early intervention makes it easier for children to make and maintain healthy relationships and to prevent negative effects in the long term.


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Treatment for PTSD

It is possible to recover from PTSD, even if you have gone untreated for many years. When it comes to dealing with PTSD, there are several treatment options to consider to make the difficult journey a little easier. For example, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a proven method that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviours. Also, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a proven effective therapy that can help you process and re-evaluate traumatic memories. Another proven method is the emotional freedom technique, also called tapping. This is a therapeutic method that you can learn yourself with the help of a therapist.

Additional treatment methods include cognitive processing therapy (CPT), cognitive therapy for PTSD, narrative exposure therapy and prolonged exposure therapy (PE). Written exposure therapy (WET) is a newer method that has also been shown to be more effective than other methods.

Choosing one of these therapies, in combination with medication such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, is often part of the treatment plan. It is important to discuss the different options with a qualified psychologist or therapist to find the right treatment for you.

We are ready to make the difficult easier

If you or someone you know has experienced trauma and has symptoms of PTSD, it may be a good idea to talk to a psychologist or therapist. You can easily book an initial session with one of our experienced staff to take the step towards treatment. We make the difficult easier.


12 common questions about PTSD and trauma

What is PTSD?

PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder and is a mental illness that can develop after experiencing a traumatic event. This condition can lead to severe emotional and physical symptoms.

How does trauma occur?

Trauma usually occurs after a serious event that causes mental, emotional or physical harm. It can include anything from natural disasters and accidents to abuse, war or death. People can also be traumatized by witnessing or hearing about a traumatic event. How trauma occurs depends on a person’s age, mental and physical preparedness, and the duration of the threatening event.

What are the most common symptoms of PTSD?

The most common symptoms include reliving the traumatic event, avoidance behavior, increased vigilance, and negative changes in emotions and thoughts. These symptoms can be long-lasting and affect everyday life.

How is PTSD diagnosed?

Diagnosis of PTSD is carried out by licensed psychologists or psychiatrists and often involves both self-report tests and clinical interviews.

Is there a cure for PTSD?

It is possible to recover from PTSD with evidence-based treatments. This means that your symptoms are reduced and you no longer meet the criteria for the diagnosis.

What are flashbacks?

Flashbacks are intense and often unpleasant re-experiences of the traumatic event. They may involve seeing, hearing or smelling something that reminds you of the traumatic event. Flashbacks are not dangerous and can be treated.

How does PTSD affect relationships?

PTSD can make it difficult to maintain close relationships due to symptoms such as isolation, irritability and lack of trust. You may have negative thoughts about yourself and the world around you, but these are treatable.

Why do many people have untreated PTSD?

Many people in the population have untreated PTSD, with around 8% of the population meeting the criteria for PTSD. People often have to wait a long time for treatment and often develop other symptoms, which means that the underlying PTSD may be missed in the healthcare system. Many people avoid seeking help because they may think it will be difficult to process the event, but going untreated can make things worse over time. Help is available.

What is the difference between acute stress reaction and PTSD?

Acute stress disorder occurs immediately after the traumatic event and lasts for a short period of time. If symptoms persist for more than a month, it can develop into PTSD.

What is untreated PTSD in children?

Unfortunately, children are also affected by trauma and PTSD. It is important to pay attention to their symptoms. The symptoms are not so different from adults, but children have more difficulty talking about the event and understanding it cognitively. It is important to seek help if you see a child showing symptoms of trauma and PTSD.

What is complex trauma?

Complex trauma occurs when a person may have been exposed to highly unpleasant situations over a long period of time, such as childhood sexual abuse, bullying, war, torture or domestic violence.

How to seek help?

If you or someone you know has experienced trauma and is suffering from symptoms of PTSD, it is important to seek professional help. You can book an appointment with a psychologist or therapist via our website. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call 911, call or text the National Suicide Hotline at 988, or go to your nearest emergency department.

How a psychologist treats trauma and PTSD

If you think you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD or other trauma symptoms, it can be scary and confusing. Help is available. It is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Remember that only a qualified healthcare provider can make a diagnosis and prescribe a treatment plan. Here is an example of what treatment can look like:

  • Step 1: Assessment visit
    The first step is to undergo an assessment visit with a psychologist or psychiatrist to determine if you have PTSD or other related conditions. You will fill out assessment forms and sometimes a diagnostic interview called CAPS is done to identify symptoms.
  • Step 2: Individualized treatment plan
    If you receive a diagnosis, your healthcare provider will create a treatment plan unique to you.
  • Step 3: Psychotherapy
    Various forms of psychotherapy are helpful for treating PTSD. Recommended methods are cognitive processing therapy (CPT), cognitive therapy for PTSD, narrative exposure therapy and prolonged exposure therapy (PE). Treatment can vary between 5-12 sessions. For complex problems, treatment is often longer.
  • Step 4: Pharmacological treatment
    In some cases, medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs may be helpful to help you manage your symptoms.
  • Step 5: Follow-up and adjustment
    Regular follow-up with your healthcare provider is essential to adjust the treatment plan as you progress.

Next steps

Dealing with PTSD or trauma can be a challenging process, but it is entirely possible to feel better and regain control of your life. With us, you can easily get in touch with psychologists and therapists who can help you on your journey. Don’t hesitate to take the first step and seek help today. Together we can make the difficult easier.


Written by Sophia Coulter

Sophia is a registered nurse with experience in inpatient, emergency and community mental health care. She has a passion for providing emergency support for those experiencing mental health crises.