June is PTSD Month

June is post-traumatic stress disorder month. PTSD affects about 6% of the population. While initially diagnosed in soldiers, they are not the only ones to have this disease triggered by a traumatic event. For example, a flood, serious accident, assault, seeing someone killed or seriously injured, and many other events can cause a person to develop PTSD.

What are common signs of PTSD?

There are several categories of symptoms that people with PTSD may experience, which are not limited to but can include:

Reliving Aspects of the Event

Most people with PTSD relive the event. They feel that it is happening again in the present. Often, flashbacks are set off by sounds or sights that do not bother other people, such as fireworks. Flashbacks often occur as nightmares, with the person reliving the event whenever they try to rest.

Feeling on Edge

People with PTSD often feel like they are constantly anxious. They may be extremely jumpy. These feelings often cause them to become upset or stressed easily. Some people with PTSD find it hard to show affection. They may also feel numb most of the time.

Difficult Feelings

While some people with PTSD feel numb most of the time, others feel intensely sad or angry. Many blame themselves for allowing the event to occur and struggle to overcome those feelings. They may feel that nowhere is safe and cannot trust anyone.

Help is Available

A variety of treatments can help a person overcome PTSD. Usually, treatment involves cognitive therapy focusing on current behaviors and thoughts. Cognitive therapy is often combined with exposure therapy to help people positively deal with their triggers.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs has developed a PTSD checklist consisting of five simple questions. If you think you may have PTSD, take the screening. Then, reach out to us because we want to help you experience life fully.