PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop in response to a traumatic event. Traumatic events are wide-ranging and can include things like:
- Witnessing/experiencing of wartime atrocities
- Combat
- Being a victim/witness of crime
- Natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis
- Sexual and physical assault, domestic violence
- Childhood sexual abuse/neglect
- Motor vehicle accidents, air plane accidents
- Childbirth complications, birth trauma, unexpected birth outcomes
- Medical diagnoses, medical interventions
- Traumatic loss of a loved one, including suicide
- Other traumatic events such as house fires, burglaries
Symptoms of PTSD include:
- Flashbacks to the traumatic incident
- Intrusive/ruminative thoughts about the trauma
- Heightened startle response
- Nightmares, insomnia
- Intense anxiety/panic when thinking about the trauma
- Depressed mood and other symptoms of depression
- Memory problems, sometimes being unable to remember aspects of the trauma
- Emotions such as anger, guilt (sometimes “survivor guilt” about being the lone survivor)
- Indecisiveness
- Withdrawal from others, emotional numbness
- Avoidance of situations and people that trigger memories/thoughts about the event
Not everyone that experiences trauma develops PTSD. Here to Help BC estimates that about 15% of those exposed to trauma will go on to develop PTSD. The reasons for this are not clear. Many believe it is a complex combination of childhood experiences, previous traumatic events and biology.
For more information about anxiety treatment in my downtown Vancouver office, I encourage you to read the information on my anxiety main page. Please call or email me if you would like to set up an appointment or talk with me further. I look forward to hearing from you!