How you can protect yourself from PTSD from traumatic events [Video]

Psychologist Lisa Rowbottom joined CTV Morning Live’s Kent Morrison to speak about how trauma impacts the mind on Remembrance Day.

This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

Kent Morrison: Studies have shown as many as one in 14 Canadian soldiers developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives. This is not exclusive to the military, either. Lisa, does trauma always cause PTSD?

Lisa Rowbottom: No, it doesn’t. There’s certain times when it will, and there’s a few characteristics that help the body and the brain decide if it will or won’t. But some people can go through very traumatic experiences and come out without it.

Kent: Why is it that some soldiers or others will develop PTSD and others will not?

Lisa: We don’t have an exact answer, because the brain is so complex, but the theory is that part of it is biological. There’s a bit of a genetic predisposition towards certain areas …