Trauma & PTSD

Trauma is defined as an emotional response to a particular event or experience that is distressing or disturbing to an individual. Traumatic experiences can range from being involved in an accident or losing a loved one to more large-scale events such as natural disasters or war.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”) can occur after someone experiences a traumatic event, and consists of upsetting memories or flashbacks that involve the event.

    • Recurrent dreams of a traumatic event

    • Flashbacks

    • Reduced interest in formerly pleasurable activities

    • Being easily startled

    • Feeling numb or disconnected

    • Sleep disturbances (e.g. insomnia or sleeping too often)

    • Difficulty concentrating

    • Anxiety

    • Confusion

    • Bad dreams

    • Avoidance of thoughts or feelings related to a traumatic event

    • Angry outbursts

    • Isolation from others

    • Difficulty recalling details of a traumatic event

    • Feeling guilty

    • Negative thoughts of oneself or of the world

    • About 8 million adults have PTSD during a given year.

    • About 10 of every 100 women (or 10%) develop PTSD sometime in their lives compared with about 4 of every 100 men (or 4%).

    • An estimated 5% of adolescents have PTSD, and an estimated 1.5% have severe impairment.

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Concerned about your mental health or that of a loved one? The Mental Health Association's free and confidential screening tool can help you identify signs of mental health conditions and connect you with resources for support.

  • Learn more about your mental health

  • Identify signs of mental health conditions

  • Connect with local resources for support

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