May 19, 2009 – Did you know that 3 in 4 Canadians have been exposed to a traumatic event, such as a car accident, physical assault, incest, natural disaster or violent crime?
For trauma victims, there is now a new reference and diagnostic tool directly online: the Info-TRAUMA site1.
The Douglas Mental Health Institute, which is the promoter, wishes to better inform the public about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which results from traumatic shock.
“In Canada, 2.4% of people who have been exposed to a traumatic event show symptoms of PTSD, or 800,000 people,” said Alain Brunet, psychologist and researcher at the Douglas Institute.
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What is a trauma? Extract from the Info-TRAUMA website |
Available in French and English, Info-TRAUMA has been designed for victims of traumatic shock, for their loved ones as well as for mental health professionals.
Alain Brunet and his team want Info-TRAUMA to demystify PTSD and help people who have it to put a name on it and get help.
“Trauma is a reality that breaks the feeling of invulnerability felt by most people who have not experienced this type of shock,” continues Alain Brunet.
In addition to post-traumatic stress, other health problems that can appear after traumatic shock are major depression, anxiety disorders, health problems (fibromyalgia, chronic pain), sexuality disorders or drug abuse. , alcohol or drugs.
A self-diagnostic tool
In addition to offering references and resources – by country – for obtaining psychological help, Info-TRAUMA also offers a self-diagnostic test to victims and their relatives.
Thanks to a questionnaire, it is thus possible to find out if one has been the victim of a traumatic event and if one suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The website also offers different psychotherapies to treat PTSD: from behavioral or cognitive approach to drugs, through group therapy or psychoanalysis and others.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. To consult the Info-TRAUMA site: www.info-trauma.org [consulté le 19 mai 2009].
