June 27th is PTSD Awareness Day

PTSD Awareness Day is a day dedicated to increasing public understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and supporting individuals who have been affected by it. It serves as a day to educate the public, reduce stigma, and promote access to effective treatments.

PTSD can be caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as:

• Combat or military exposure
• Physical assault, abuse, or accidents
• Natural disasters
• Witnessing a violent death
• Sexual violence, abuse, or assault
• Childhood abuse or neglect.

The symptoms of PTSD typically fall into four categories:

• Intrusive thoughts: Recurrent and distressing memories of the event; flashbacks, nightmares.
• Avoidance: Avoiding thoughts, feelings, conversations, places, or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event.
• Negative changes in thinking and mood: Negative self-image, distorted feelings of guilt or shame, difficulty experiencing positive emotions.
• Arousal and reactivity symptoms: Irritability, outbursts of anger, difficulty sleeping, being easily startled.

There are several steps to manage symptoms of PTSD:

• Seek professional help: Talk to a mental health professional who can diagnose and treat PTSD. Trauma-focused therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can help you process and work through traumatic memories.
• Practice self-care: Engage in physical activity, maintain a healthy diet, and get enough sleep.
• Use coping strategies: Try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing.
• Connect with others: Join a support group, reach out to friends or family, or participate in activities that you enjoy.