After the recent mass shooting in Toronto, Ontario, the risk that those affected by the traumatic event will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD ) has become a greater possibility. The traumatic mass shooting, which occurred on Danforth Avenue in Toronto, left three people dead and 13 others injured (Bein, 2018; McQuigge & Thompson 2018). Margaret McKinnon's (2018) article on "How to Prevent PTSD After Mass Violence," originally shared in The Conversation and later in The National Post, discussed the symptoms and process of developing PTSD post traumatic stress. The article focuses on the aspects to pay attention to, but does not address the concrete steps that individuals can take to reduce the psychopathology related to the development of this disorder (McKinnon, 2018). McKinnon (2018) is a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at McMaster University, located in Hamilton, Ontario. The good thing about this newspaper article is that McKinnon's academic background allows people to receive a level of reliable information. However, receiving information from a person with a broad academic background does not assume that the information provided is necessarily correct, but a critical lens is often facilitated. This article will focus on the extent to which PTSD is preventable and which individuals are most at risk of developing this disorder. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The DSM 5 determines the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder for those who present with or directly experience a traumatic event, defined by threat or exposure to death, sexual violence, or serious injury (DSM 5, 2013 cited by Nolen-Hoeksema & Marroquin, 2017). Which, as mentioned by Nolen-Hoeksema & Marroquin (2017), may include detachment, reliving the event through nightmares, or hypervigilance. For example, if an individual were to develop PTSD symptoms after the Toronto mass shooting, they may have extensive nightmares and/or feel detached from their daily life following the incident. As mentioned by McKinnon (2018), if symptoms are noticed early and addressed by a healthcare professional, this can prevent the severity of the individual's psychopathology. Reflecting on the traumatic event of the World Trade Center attacks, risk factors that were present in individuals who developed post-traumatic stress disorder will be examined to identify who may be most at risk following the Toronto mass shooting. After the attacks on the World Trade Center, research on individuals' psychological reaction to this traumatic event leading to posttraumatic stress disorder was extensive (Adams & Boscarino, 2006; Yehuda, 2002). Adams and Boscarino (2006), explore patterns of risk factors that influenced the development of PTSD in response to the World Trade Center attacks over the course of two years. What has been found is that younger age, female gender, level of exposure, number of additional traumatic experiences, social support, and self-esteem of the individual all play a role in the development and prevalence of the disorder from post-traumatic stress (Adams & Boscarino, 2006). However, it can be argued that the fact that this study took place in America and the extent of trauma was much greater may not apply to the Toronto mass shooting. Having said that,Nolen-Hoeksema and Marroquin (2017), showed how many of these factors are prevalent in an individual's risk of developing PTSD, such as the social factors to which an individual has access, as well as pre-existing symptomatology of anxiety and depression. . Although very different in magnitude, the pattern of risk factors that leave individuals vulnerable to developing PTSD can be used to provide help to those most vulnerable. This document will begin by simply reviewing the general risk factors that can affect an individual's life.chance of developing PTSD. PTSD and related symptoms can result in the aftermath of a traumatic event in an individual's life, such as the recent mass shooting in Toronto (Nolen-Hoeksema & Marroquin, 2017). The likelihood of developing the disorder may depend on various factors, such as the severity of the event, the duration of the event, and the individual's distance or proximity to the traumatic event (Cardozo, Vergara, Agani, & Gotway, 2000; Ehlers et al ., 1998; Hoge et al., 2004; Kessler et al., 1995 as cited in Nolen-Hoeksema & Marroquin, 2017). For example, the severity of the mass shooting, the length of time an individual was exposed to the traumatic event, and the distance an individual was from the shooter or those shot, can influence the likelihood that an individual will develop a post-traumatic stress disorder. Biological, social, and psychological underpinnings of an individual's overall well-being prior to the traumatic event may also play a role in the likelihood of developing PTSD (Nolen-Hoeksema & Marroquin, 2017; Nagy, 2018). An individual biological stress response can respond positively to a situation to prevent the individual from developing PTSD, but when this stress response does not function in accordance it can play a negative role on the individual's ability to cope with such traumatic stress (McEwen, 1998; Shalev and Yehuda, 1998 as cited by Nagy, 2018). The presence of positive social support may be a key component in an individual's ability to cope with such stressful traumatic events (Adams & Boscarino, 2006). However, as mentioned by Nolen-Hoeksema & Marroquin (2017), pre-existing depression or anxious symptomatology may increase an individual's likelihood of developing PTSD symptoms. The likelihood of an individual developing PTSD after the Toronto mass shooting may depend on factors outside of the individual's control, such as the distance, severity and duration of the traumatic event. When pre-existing factors such as biological, social and psychological factors are influenced by such extensive stress, it can result in the development of a disorder. This article will now address the prevalence and preventability of PTSD among children and young people. wanted. One of the lives taken during the Toronto mass shooting was that of a 10-year-old girl (Bein, 2018). As discussed by Lilienfeld et al. (2017), children and adolescents tend to be quite resilient in light of trauma. While this may happen often, Garrett et al. (2012), demonstrated that PTSD can affect the emotional development of young people. Furthermore, as mentioned by Adams & Boscarino (2006), younger women (18-29 years old) with a lower socioeconomic background and low self-esteem have been moved to have increased PTSD symptomatology. This may indicate that particular attention should be paid to particular young people due to their social and environmental status.