PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental health condition that can occur after a person has experienced an event that makes them feel extremely frightened or helpless (i.e., a traumatic event).  Examples of traumatic events can include physical, sexual or emotional abuse/assault, automobile accidents, military combat, daily duties of public safety personnel, and as we’ve seen more recently, working in a healthcare environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Symptoms of PTSD typically include unwanted memories of a traumatic event (e.g., via thoughts, dreams), trying to avoid reminders of the trauma (e.g., avoiding triggering places, thoughts, conversations), feeling overly alert to danger (e.g., always scanning the room for danger, startling easily), and having difficulty regulating emotions (e.g., feeling very anxious, angry, fearful; believing bad things about oneself).  In addition to these more commonly recognized symptoms of PTSD, many people also demonstrate active defense responses related to “fight or flight” (e.g., increased heart rate, muscle tension) – responses that could help someone physically escape from danger. 

 

In recent years, however, researchers (including members of our team!) have identified a variation of PTSD that can look different in certain ways, referred to as the dissociative subtype of PTSD.  In contrast to the symptoms of over-arousal and active defence typically seen in classic PTSD, the dissociative subtype of this disorder is characterized by symptoms of under-arousal, involving certain types of disconnection from one’s own body (e.g., feeling as if you’re outside your body, disconnection from your feelings).  This tends to include more passive or submissive defense responses (e.g., slowed heart rate, feeling “frozen”, having numbed emotions) - responses that might help someone withstand or endure traumatic events when physical escape is impossible. 

 

Our research team is interested in learning more about both types of PTSD, including why some people develop this disorder while others don’t (despite similar traumatic experiences), why some people develop the dissociative subtype, exactly how trauma affects the brain, its impact on other daily functions (e.g., thinking skills, social interaction, walking/balance), and how PTSD might be treated most effectively.  

 

All of our research involves fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) brain scans to help us determine how this disorder, and any treatments, might impact the brain.  An fMRI scan takes many images of the brain in action (e.g., during self-reflection, memory or attention tasks) to reveal which areas are being used.  We then compare brain scans from different participant groups (e.g., people with PTSD vs. people with no mental health diagnoses), or compare scans before and after treatment (i.e., to see if anything has changed with treatment). 

 

By identifying any differences or changes, these fMRI scans help us identify where the injury of trauma can be found in the brain, and/or help us see how treatments can be helpful.  Our hope is that our research will help us better understand PTSD, and help therapists and physicians understand the most effective treatments for their patients.

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In discussing our research, it must be said that we are incredibly grateful to all of our study participants.  Without their willingness to discuss these very personal and difficult experiences, none of these studies would have been possible. Their efforts are often fuelled by a desire to help others, which is so admirable. To our study participants - we truly appreciate your contribution to this important research. We learn from you every day.

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