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Traumatic Stress

In the context of mental health discussions, traumatic stress often refers to the experiences when a person is exposed to a Psychologically Traumatic Stressor. A psychologically traumatic stressor is a stressor that may cause psychological trauma, which is why such stressors are often referred to as Potentially Psychologically Traumatic. A potentially psychologically traumatic event involves a person experiencing, or believing they are about to experience, one or more potentially psychologically traumatic stressors including, but not limited to, physical or sexual assault, being in a car accident, or sudden death of a loved one. 

What is Posttraumatic Stress Injury (PTSI)? 

The phrase Operational Stress Injury (OSI) was developed to decrease the stigma that can be associated with other language (e.g., mental disorder; diagnosis). OSI categorizes mental health problems that result from exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events as “injuries”. The hope was to help make psychological injuries sustained during operational duties as legitimate as physical injuries. The phrase OSI is often used to reduce stigma and to acknowledge that while Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may occur from exposure to one or more potentially psychologically traumatic events, there are many other disorders that can also occur (e.g., Major Depressive Disorder and Panic Disorder). There were concerns raised that “operational” limited such injuries to symptoms following exposures that occur during active operational duty; as such, the phrase posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) is now used as an umbrella term that includes OSIs, but PTSI includes exposures across different contexts. 

Symptoms of a posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) may occur immediately after exposure to a potentially psychologically traumatic event, but may also not occur until weeks or even months after the exposure. If symptoms occur following exposure to a potentially psychologically traumatic event, and the symptoms do not improve within a month, we recommended that you seek support. 

What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)  

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem wherein a person experiences problematic symptoms after being exposed, directly or indirectly, to an actual or perceived threat against themselves or someone else. Chronic exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events can have an effect similar to exposure to a potentially psychologically traumatic event. If symptoms occur following exposure to a potentially traumatic event and the symptoms do not improve within a month, persist, increase, or prevent a person from participating in different areas of their life, a diagnosis of PTSD may be appropriate; however, some symptoms that follow exposure to a potentially traumatic event may not indicate PTSD. If you have concerns regarding your mental health, we recommend that you speak with a medical professional, psychologist, or other mental health professional. 

What are the symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress?  

According the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), the symptoms of PTSD include the following: 

  • Feeling like you re-experience the incident repeatedly 
  • Nightmares 
  • Impulsive behaviour 
  • Low mood 
  • Increased vigilance 
  • Negative beliefs or views about the world 
  • Feelings of anxiousness or restlessness 
  • Feeling on edge or that the incident could happen again 
  • Becoming upset when reminded of the incident 
  • Avoiding anything that reminds you of the event 
  • Withdrawing from friends and family 
  • Losing interest in activities that used to be enjoyable 
  • Being unable to feel pleasure 
  • Constantly worrying 
  • Trouble concentrating 
  • Irritability 
  • Sleep Dysregulation (e.g. difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep) 
  • Worrying about others trying to hurt you 
  • Panic symptoms (e.g., shortness of breath, increased heartrate, dizzy) 
  • Having fears of dying 

Who gets PTSD?  

  • Any person who is exposed to 1 or more potentially psychologically traumatic events is technically at risk of developing PTSD, but exposure alone is not enough to develop PTSD. 
  • Other factors that may play a role in developing PTSD include the number of potentially psychologically traumatic event exposures, proximity or closeness to the event(s), the length of exposure(s), and level of resources the individual has or has access to following the exposure(s). 
  • Certain occupations, such as those performed by Public Safety Personnel (PSP), can place these individuals at a higher risk because they can be exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events or other elevated risk factors more frequently. 

Who gets PTSD?  

  • Any person who is exposed to 1 or more potentially psychologically traumatic events is technically at risk of developing PTSD, but exposure alone is not enough to develop PTSD. 
  • Other factors that may play a role in developing PTSD include the number of potentially psychologically traumatic event exposures, proximity or closeness to the event(s), the length of exposure(s), and level of resources the individual has or has access to following the exposure(s). 
  • Certain occupations, such as those performed by Public Safety Personnel (PSP), can place these individuals at a higher risk because they can be exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events or other elevated risk factors more frequently.