Kaitlin Gallo, Ph.D.
Chief Clinical Officer
After experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, many individuals will develop persistent, lingering side effects that disrupt their daily lives. This condition, known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was first discovered in Vietnam Veterans returning from serving in the war in the 1970s, but is believed to have been around for centuries. Though it is prevalent among the Veteran community, it is far from unique to Veterans, and anyone can develop it.
Traumatic events that can spark post-traumatic stress disorder include war/combat, natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist acts, sexual assault, domestic violence, historical trauma, and bullying, according to the American Psychiatric Association. PTSD symptoms include experiencing intrusive memories, avoidance of thinking or talking about the event, negative thinking, irritability, and angry outbursts.
Young adulthood is a prime time for experiencing potentially traumatic events (PTEs). Breslau et. al, 1998 found that the rates of trauma exposure spike between 16 and 20 years old, an age bracket that overlaps with that of traditional U.S. college students. A study by Read, et. al (2011) demonstrated that over 65 percent of college students in the sample reported trauma exposure; of that group, nearly 10 percent developed PTSD.
PTSD symptoms can significantly impact a person’s ability to learn. A student coping with post-traumatic stress disorder can have difficulty concentrating, memory issues, and trouble with problem-solving, which can hinder their ability to thrive in an academic setting. College students with post-traumatic stress are also at risk for substance misuse, which can exacerbate symptoms. “You have a group of young people exposed to some trauma who are away from many of the things that would otherwise provide them with support. Even those who are commuting have still entered into a new way of life,” says Jennifer Read, a psychology professor at the University of Buffalo and co-author of a research paper in Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research and Policy titled “PTSD symptom course during the first year of college.”
If colleges and universities provide accessible mental health resources, a student experiencing a mental health crisis, as can occur for individuals dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, can receive immediate help. Addressing their symptoms with licensed professionals gives them the opportunity to improve and focus on their studies.
For students struggling with mental health challenges, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, the resources offered through Christie Campus Health can be an important addition to the services already provided through a college/university. Christie offers customized solutions for college students to address a wide range of needs. Christie’s services include a 24/7 clinical support line; psychiatric prescribing; Navigators to assist with referrals and specialty care; science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools through the Headspace app; and SilverCloud, a self-directed and clinically validated Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT). Contact Christie Campus Health to learn more.