You are Not Alone

Military-related stress has existed for centuries. Over time, it has been called many things, including "shell-shock" or "combat fatigue." In the past, many people who suffered from military-related stress did not seek help. Now, thanks to better community outreach and a broader understanding of the condition, more supports are available and more people are coming forward for help. The earlier help is sought, the better the rate of recovery.

What is an OSI?

An Operational Stress Injury (OSI) is any persistent psychological difficulty that results from operational duties performed while serving in the Canadian military. It includes conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The symptoms and the injuries vary depending on the individual and the nature of his or her experience. For Canadian Forces (CF) members and Veterans, the injury may occur:

• following combat duties;
• after serving in a war zone or on a peacekeeping mission; or
• as the result of other stressful events not tied to combat.

You Said...

"When my tour was over, coming home turned out to be a very strange thing. It wasn't the same. Maybe I wasn't the same. I needed some time to adjust and to think things through. Most of it didn't make sense. Nobody knew what I was thinking about... I 'sucked it up' and pretended things were fine. But things weren't fine." - a CF Veteran who got help through the Peer Support Network

Trauma

Trauma is different for everyone, but there are a number of events that may cause distress including:

• threat of death;
• serious injury;
• viewing or handling of bodies;
• death or serious injury of a close friend or colleague;
• exposure to a potentially contagious disease or toxic agent;
• witnessing human degradation; and
• action or inaction resulting in serious injury or death for others.

Reacting to Trauma

It is normal to experience distress after being exposed to a traumatic event. Common reactions include:

• feelings of panic or anxiety;
• avoiding anything attached to the event;
• feeling sad, tearful, hopeless, depressed, angry, or guilty;
• consuming alcohol or abuse of other substances;
• feeling a change in personality;
• difficulty concentrating, disorientation and/or memory problems;
• sleep disturbances or excessive alertness;
• being easily startled;
• trouble controlling moods, especially anger;
• difficulty with relationships;
• reliving the event (while awake or asleep); and
• intrusive thoughts about the event.