Overview of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
45% of Canadian immigrants and refugees from countries involved in war or with significant social unrest have been exposed to traumatic events before migration. Most individuals (estimated 80%) who experience traumatic events heal without intervention after reaching safety:
Key Recommendations:
- Do not conduct routine screening for exposure to traumatic events, because pushing for disclosure of traumatic events in well-functioning individuals may result in more harm than good
- Be alert for signs and symptoms of PTSD, especially in the context of unexplained somatic symptoms, sleep disorders or mental health disorders such as depression or panic disorder, and perform clinical assessment as needed to address functional impairment
Quality of Evidence: LOW
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Links to Other Learning Resources
- The Cochrane Collaboration Common Mental Health Problems Case-Based Podcast: http://www.cochrane.org/podcasts/immigrant-health/common-mental-health-problems
- Immigrant and Refugee Evidence-Based Clinical Guideline:
http://www.cmaj.ca/content/183/12/E824.full#sec-160 - Evidence-Based Migrant Health Network:
http://www.ccirhken.ca/
Pottie K, Greenaway C, Feightner J, Welch V, Swinkels H, Rashid M, Narasiah L, Kirmayer L, Ueffing E, MacDonald N, Hassan G, McNally M, Kahn K, Buhrmann R, Dunn S, Dominic A, McCarthy AE, Gagnon AJ, Rousseau C, Tugwell P and co-authors of the Canadian Collaboration for Immigrant and Refugee Health. Overview: Evidence-based clinical guidelines for immigrants and refugees. CMAJ 2011; 183(12):E824-E925.
Design and Production: Centre for e-Learning, Teaching and Learning Support Service (TLSS), University of Ottawa