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Our country came together to commemorate our fallen soldiers for Memorial Day to show our appreciation for the sacrifice that our men and women in our armed services made to protect our freedoms. Now for the month of June, National PTSD Awareness Month, our hearts are with the survivors of war who have to suffer through the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
After a traumatic event, most people have painful memories, but mental health experts are not sure why some people develop PTSD and others do not. Veterans and other individuals experience trauma after experiencing, witnessing, or learning about something, especially an event that is life-threatening or causes physical harm, then often don’t seek the effective treatments they need.
Individuals with PTSD re-live the event through recurring nightmares or other intrusive images that occur at any time. When faced with reminders of the event, they can also suffer extreme emotional or physical reactions, such as chills, heart palpitations, or panic.
Starting in 2010, Congress named June 27th PTSD Awareness Day. In 2014, the Senate designated the full month of June for National PTSD Awareness. The purpose of PTSD Awareness Month is to encourage everyone to raise public awareness of PTSD and effective treatments.
This month, family members of individuals with PTSD and organizations that work with employees, consumers, and patients at risk for PTSD are encouraged to get information about symptoms and treatments for it. The hopes are that when more people know about the disease more people who suffer from it will get treatment.
“Greater understanding and awareness of PTSD will help Veterans and others recognize symptoms, and seek and obtain needed care.” – Dr. Paula P. Schnurr, Executive Director of the National Center for PTSD.
“Greater understanding and awareness of PTSD will help Veterans and others recognize symptoms, and seek and obtain needed care.” – Dr. Paula P. Schnurr, Executive Director of the National Center for PTSD.
Facts About PTSD
- An estimated 70% of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives and up to 20% of these people go on to develop posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD
- An estimated 5% of Americans—more than 13 million people—have PTSD at any given time
- Approximately 8% of all adults—1 of 13 people in this country—will develop PTSD during their lifetime
- An estimated 1 out of 10 women will get PTSD at some time in their lives. Women are about twice as likely as men to develop PTSD
- Research suggests that prolonged trauma may disrupt and alter brain chemistry. For some people, this may lead to the development of PTSD
- A psychologist, social worker, or other qualified healthcare professional who provides counseling related to trauma can identify whether a person has PTSD and can discuss options for an appropriate treatment regimen.
Find resources for where to get help for PTSD.
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