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June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event, either being part of it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Most people who go through traumatic events may have a hard time adjusting and coping for a short time. But with time and by taking good care of themselves, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or years, and affect their ability to function daily, they may have PTSD.
Getting treatment after PTSD symptoms arise can be very important to ease symptoms and help people function better. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within the first three months after a traumatic event. But sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms last more than one month and cause major problems in social or work situations and how well you get along with others.
Generally, PTSD symptoms are grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.
Symptoms of intrusive memories may include:
- Unwanted, distressing memories of a traumatic event that come back over and over again.
- Reliving a traumatic event as if it were happening again, also known as flashbacks.
- Upsetting dreams or nightmares about a traumatic event.
Symptoms of avoidance may include:
- Trying not to think or talk about a traumatic event.
- Staying away from places, activities or people that remind you of a traumatic event.
Symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:
- Negative thoughts about yourself, other people or the world.
- Ongoing negative emotions of fear, blame, guilt, anger or shame.
- Feeling detached from family and friends.
Symptoms of changes in physical and emotional reactions, also called arousal symptoms, may include:
- Being easily startled or frightened.
- Always being on guard for danger.
Talk to your healthcare professional or a mental health professional if you have disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a month, especially if they're severe. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information on understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, read here.
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