June is PTSD Awareness Month

There are currently about 8 million people in the United States with PTSD.

June is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month, and is intended to raise public awareness about issues related to PTSD, reduce the stigma associated with PTSD, and help ensure that those suffering from the invisible wounds of war receive proper treatment. Even though PTSD treatments work, most people who have PTSD don’t get the help they need. Help us spread the word that effective PTSD treatments are available.

What is PTSD?

PTSD, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, is an anxiety disorder that some people develop after seeing or living through an event that caused or threatened serious harm or death.

PTSD may result in sleep problems, irritability, anger, recurrent dreams about the trauma, intense reactions to reminders of the trauma, disturbances in relationships, and isolation. Some people may recover a few months after the event, but for others it may take years. For some, PTSD may begin long after the events occur.

PTSD is very common, and treatment is available. Treatment includes different types of trauma-focused psychotherapy as well as medications to manage symptoms.

There are 4 types of PTSD symptoms, but they may not be exactly the same for everyone. Each person experiences symptoms in their own way:

• Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms)
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• Having more negative thoughts and feelings than before the event
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• Avoiding things that remind you of the event
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• Feeling on edge or keyed up (also called hyperarousal)

If you or a loved one is struggling with PTSD and need help, call the National Mental Health Hotline at 866-903-3787 to speak to a professional about PTSD symptoms and get help with mental health resources.