Understanding PTSD and How to Get Help
"Recovery isn’t about erasing the trauma—it’s about no longer letting it control your life."
DR. SARAH THOMPSON, PTSD SPECIALIST CAMH
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is more than just struggling after a difficult event - it's a profound rewiring of the brain's fear and memory systems following exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It’s not a sign of weakness—it’s a natural response to overwhelming stress that alters how the brain processes fear and memory.
Imagine a firefighter who escapes a burning building physically unharmed, but whose mind keeps reliving the screams they heard that day. Or an Indigenous elder whose body tenses at the sound of helicopters, decades after being forcibly taken to residential school.
In Canada, we're particularly aware of how PTSD affects specific groups like military personnel, first responders, and survivors of gender-based violence. The condition doesn't discriminate - it can develop in anyone from a survivor of a car accident to an elderly refugee who endured war before coming to Canada. What makes PTSD especially insidious is how it traps people in their trauma, making the past feel perpetually present.
Key Facts
8% of Canadians will develop PTSD in their lifetime (Public Health Agency of Canada)
Trauma can include combat, assaults, accidents, natural disasters, or systemic violence (e.g., Indigenous residential school survivors) (CPA Traumatic Stress Section)
11% of Canadian Forces members meet PTSD diagnostic criteria (
First responders (paramedics, police, firefighters) have 2-3x higher risk than the general population (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety)
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD manifests in ways that can completely disrupt someone's life, often catching both the individual and their loved ones off guard.
Take Mark, a Toronto paramedic who started having vivid nightmares after responding to a fatal car accident involving children. He'd wake up drenched in sweat, his heart racing as if he was back at the scene. During the day, he became hypervigilant - constantly scanning his environment for threats, startling at sirens, and snapping at his wife when she unexpectedly touched his shoulder. He stopped taking his kids to the park because the sound of squealing tires from a nearby street triggered panic attacks. Like many with PTSD, Mark also grappled with intense guilt ("Could I have saved that little girl if I'd been faster?") and emotional numbness, withdrawing from his family even as they desperately tried to support him.
Symptoms of PTSD
Symptoms often emerge within 3 months of trauma but can appear years later. They cluster into four categories:
Re-Experiencing
Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories (e.g., a car crash survivor smelling burning rubber during a panic attack)
Avoidance
Steering clear of trauma reminders (e.g., a veteran avoiding Canada Day fireworks)
Hyperarousal
Hypervigilance, irritability, or sleep disturbances (common in healthcare workers post-pandemic)
Negative Thoughts/Mood
Emotional numbness, guilt (“Why did I survive?”), or withdrawal from relationships
Note: In Canada, Indigenous communities may express PTSD through somatic symptoms (chronic pain, headaches) due to cultural stigma around mental health (PMC research on Indigenous mental health).
How Does PTSD Impact Daily Life?
PTSD doesn’t just affect individuals - it ripples through families and workplaces with long-term consequences.
PTSD Impacts
Relationships: Partners report feeling “walking on eggshells” around outbursts or emotional detachment
Physical Health: Higher rates of heart disease, addiction, and autoimmune disorders (Veterans Canada)
Work: 15% of Canadian workers with PTSD lose jobs due to concentration issues (CCOHS)
Consider Priya, a nurse who worked through COVID-19 in a Montreal ICU. After months of watching patients die alone, she began experiencing PTSD symptoms that made it impossible to continue working. The smell of hospital antiseptic would trigger vomiting episodes, and she'd dissociate during staff meetings, unable to focus. Her marriage suffered as she alternated between emotional detachment and unexplained anger outbursts. Like many healthcare workers with PTSD, she turned to alcohol to sleep, which led to liver problems - illustrating how mental trauma becomes physical.
In Canadian workplaces, PTSD accounts for significant productivity loss, with many employees like Priya either quitting or being let go due to concentration issues. Families describe walking on eggshells around loved ones with PTSD, never sure what might trigger an episode. The financial toll is equally devastating - Veterans Affairs Canada spends approximately $70 million annually on PTSD treatment for military personnel alone.
Who Experiences PTSD in Canada?
While PTSD can affect anyone, certain groups face disproportionate risk due to their life circumstances.
Military personnel and veterans represent one visible group - imagine 25-year-old Liam who returned from peacekeeping duty with nightmares so severe he sleeps with a weapon under his pillow. First responders like paramedics, police and firefighters experience cumulative trauma; Sarah, a Vancouver paramedic, developed PTSD after years of attending overdoses in the opioid crisis. Indigenous communities grapple with intergenerational trauma - residential school survivor Thomas still reacts violently to the smell of bleach decades later, a sensory memory of institutional cleaning products. Refugees bring war trauma to Canada; Ahmed, a Syrian newcomer, panics during thunderstorms that sound like bombings. Even new parents can be affected - consider Jay, whose wife nearly died in childbirth, leaving him with intrusive thoughts about hospital sounds and an inability to bond with his baby.
What these diverse individuals share is a nervous system stuck in survival mode, and a Canadian healthcare system that's gradually improving at recognizing their unique needs.
Facts and Stats
Military Personnel and Veterans
11% of Canadian Armed Forces members meet the clinical criteria for PTSD (Veterans Affairs Canada)
Nearly 1 in 4 veterans of the Afghanistan mission report PTSD symptoms (Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health)
Male veterans under 25 have suicide rates 2.4 times higher than civilian peers (Statistics Canada)
While warzone trauma is well-documented, military PTSD also stems from:
Moral injury: The psychological toll of actions that violate one's moral code (e.g., a medic unable to save children)
Military sexual trauma (MST): 27% of female veterans and 4% of males report MST, often leading to complex PTSD (Veterans Affairs Canada)
Transition trauma: The identity crisis many face returning to civilian life. Take "Mike," a Winnipeg veteran who slept with a knife for years after discharge—not because of war flashbacks, but because he'd lost his sense of purpose.
First Responders
Police officers experience PTSD at 2-3x the general population rate (Canadian Journal of Psychiatry)
Paramedics have a 20% lifetime prevalence—higher than soldiers in some studies (Mental Health Commission of Canada)
Firefighters report depression rates 5x national averages (CAMH)
Unlike single-incident trauma, first responder PTSD often develops from:
Repeated exposure: A paramedic might remember every pediatric cardiac arrest they couldn't revive
"Normalized" trauma: The culture of "toughing it out" means many suffer silently for years
Vicarious trauma: A 911 operator develops PTSD from hearing domestic violence calls
These professionals often face compounded risks when they belong to other high-risk groups:
Indigenous veterans experience higher PTSD severity due to intergenerational trauma
LGBTQ+ first responders face dual stigma—both professional and identity-based
Female paramedics report higher rates of PTSD from sexual harassment/assault on the job
Survivors of Sexual Assault & Abuse
1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men in Canada will experience sexual violence in their lifetime, with many developing PTSD (Public Health Agency of Canada).
1 in 4 women assaulted by partners develop PTSD (PHAC).
Childhood abuse survivors often struggle with complex PTSD—a form of the disorder caused by prolonged trauma. For example, a woman in her 40s may still panic at the scent of a man’s cologne that reminds her of her abuser.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors frequently live with hypervigilance, even years after escaping. A Montreal study found 45% of IPV survivors met PTSD criteria.
LGBTQ+ Communities
Transgender Canadians are 2x more likely to develop PTSD than cisgender peers, often due to discrimination, violence, or gender-based harassment (CMHA).
Queer youth who experience bullying or family rejection are at high risk. A Toronto study found 35% of LGBTQ+ teens with PTSD symptoms after conversion therapy attempts.
Hate crimes targeting LGBTQ+ individuals (e.g., the Pulse nightclub shooting’s ripple effects in Canada) can trigger PTSD even in those not directly involved.
Families Impacted by Intergenerational Trauma
Indigenous families affected by residential schools often show PTSD symptoms across generations. An Elder might dissociate when hearing children cry—a sound tied to residential school memories. In fact, intergenerational trauma from residential schools elevates risk (CPA)
Refugee families escaping war zones may pass trauma responses to children. A Syrian father’s PTSD-induced rage episodes could leave his kids with secondary trauma. In fact, 50% of Syrian refugees in Canada show PTSD symptoms (CMHA)
First responders’ families witness indirect trauma. A paramedic’s spouse might develop PTSD-like symptoms from hearing nightly distress over calls.
Surprising Fact: Childbirth trauma triggers PTSD in 4% of Canadian mothers and 1% of partners (PTSD Association).
Can Children Suffer From PTSD?
Absolutely.
Children—even infants—can develop PTSD, though symptoms often differ from adults:
Preschoolers may re-enact trauma through play (e.g., a toddler repeatedly crashing toy cars after witnessing an accident).
School-aged kids can develop physical symptoms like stomach aches or bedwetting after events like house fires or violence.
Teens might engage in risky behaviors (e.g., a 16-year-old who starts fights after surviving a school stabbing).
The Stats
1 in 4 children exposed to trauma develop PTSD (CMHA).
Indigenous youth in foster care are at particular risk due to intergenerational trauma.
How Does PTSD Impact Mental Health?
PTSD doesn’t exist in isolation—it often intertwines with other conditions.
Depression: 50% of PTSD sufferers also battle depression (Public Health Canada).
Anxiety: Hypervigilance leads to chronic stress.
Substance Use: Many self-medicate with alcohol or drugs.
Suicidal Thoughts: Canadian veterans with PTSD have 2x higher suicide risk (Veterans Affairs).
Physical Health Toll: Insomnia, chronic pain, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, etc.,
What Treatments Work for PTSD?
Effective PTSD treatment in Canada typically combines professional therapy, sometimes medication, and strong social support.
The key is personalized care - what works for a veteran may differ from what helps a refugee or childhood abuse survivor.
Therapy
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): Challenges unhelpful thoughts
For example, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), helps patients like David - a Saskatoon police officer - examine and challenge unhelpful thoughts like "I should have prevented that domestic homicide." Through weekly sessions, David learned to reframe his guilt and process the trauma more adaptively.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy: Gradually confronts trauma memories in a safe space
Prolonged Exposure Therapy, another evidence-based approach, might involve a sexual assault survivor like Marie gradually revisiting the location of her attack with a therapist's support until it no longer triggers panic.
Indigenous-led healing: Land-based programs
For Indigenous patients, culturally-safe options like land-based healing programs have shown remarkable success - an Elder might incorporate traditional sweat lodge ceremonies with Western counselling.
Medication
SSRIs (e.g., sertraline) are Health Canada-approved for PTSD
SSRIs (e.g., sertraline) can help manage symptoms, though they work best alongside therapy.
Peer Support
Veterans Affairs Canada funds group therapy for military personnel
PTSD Association of Canada offers online forums
Emerging Treatments
MDMA-assisted therapy is in clinical trials in Montreal and Vancouver (PMC research)
Service dogs are now recognized as medical aids for PTSD sufferers under some provincial plans
When Is It Time to Get Help for PTSD?
The moment PTSD symptoms begin interfering with daily life is the time to seek professional support.
The Canadian Mental Health Association recommends seeking help if symptoms persist for over a month after the trauma. Many provinces offer free PTSD screening through telehealth services.
Consider reaching out if you or a loved one:
Avoid normal activities (e.g., a bus driver who quits after a collision, even though they need the income)
Experience emotional numbness that strains relationships (e.g., a mother who can’t feel joy holding her baby after a traumatic birth)
Turn to substance use to cope (e.g., a construction worker drinking nightly to suppress flashbacks of a workplace accident)
Have suicidal thoughts (e.g., a veteran who believes their family would be “better off” without them)
Is There a Cure for PTSD?
While there’s no overnight “cure,” PTSD is highly treatable with the right interventions.
Think of it like healing a deep wound—it takes time, care, and sometimes professional help to fully recover.
Many Canadians achieve full remission through therapy, medication, and support.
Some manage symptoms long-term, similar to chronic conditions like diabetes.
New treatments (e.g., MDMA-assisted therapy, now in Canadian clinical trials) show promise for stubborn cases.
How Can Family and Friends Support Someone with PTSD?
Support from loved ones is crucial for recovery.
Supporting someone with PTSD can be emotionally demanding, so be sure to prioritize self-care and seek support when needed. Take breaks, practice stress-reduction techniques, and lean on other family members, friends, or support groups for assistance and guidance. Take the time to learn about PTSD, including its symptoms, progression, treatment options, and potential challenges. Understanding the condition can help you provide better care and support for your loved one. And lastly, maintain open and honest communication with your loved one about their needs, preferences, and concerns. Encourage them to express their feelings and concerns, and listen attentively without judgement. Most importantly, take advantage of available support services, such as support groups, community resources and professional mental health services. These services can also provide valuable assistance and relief for you while enhancing the quality of life for your loved one.
Here’s how to help without burning out:
Listen Without Pressuring DO: "I’m here when you’re ready to talk." DON’T: "You should be over this by now."
Learn Triggers Example: A war veteran’s spouse avoids sudden loud noises at home.
Encourage Professional Help "I found this trauma therapist—want me to book the first appointment with you?"
Practice Patience Recovery isn’t linear. Expect good days and setbacks.
Avoid: Surprise physical touch (can trigger flashbacks) or dismissive comments ("It wasn’t that bad")
PTSD is a treatable injury, not a life sentence.
If you have concerns about your symptoms, it is imperative to seek guidance from a healthcare professional. Early diagnosis and intervention can lead to better management of symptoms and improved quality of life.
Remember - seeking help isn't a sign of weakness, but the first brave step toward reclaiming your life from trauma's grip.
Resources to consider:
Crisis Lines: Text 686868 or call 1-833-456-4566 (24/7)
Veterans: 1-800-268-7708 (VAC Assistance Service)
Workplace Claims: Most provinces cover PTSD treatment through WSIB/WCB
Cultural Support: Hope for Wellness Helpline for Indigenous peoples (1-855-242-3310)
Canada.ca Trauma and PTSD
Canada.ca About Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Canadian Mental Health Association Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Canadian Psychological Association Facts About Traumatic Stress and PTSD
Veterans Affairs Learn about PTSD
National Institutes of Health Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Canada
Whatever it is, we’re here for you.
Life is uncertain. Jobs are stressful. Parenting is hard. Relationships take work. Families can be dysfunctional. And sometimes, love hurts. When you’re confronted by feelings, events, or issues that are making your life challenging, it’s okay to ask for some help.
