National PTSD Awareness Month: Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Recognition of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may slowly be gaining ground in modern society. However, there can still be misconceptions surrounding this potentially devastating mental health condition. Many people are still unaware of what can cause PTSD and the many ways it can manifest. As the country begins National PTSD Awareness Month this June, discover ways you can support the effort to get help for those impacted by this disorder.
Understanding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Educating yourself about PTSD is often an important first step, and you can also help by sharing informational resources online or in person, participating in awareness events, and talking to other people in your life about mental health and PTSD. If you or a loved one lives with this disorder, seeking professional support can be beneficial. Online therapy can provide an alternative if in-person treatment is inaccessible or seems overwhelming.
Why PTSD often goes unrecognized
Popular culture tends to depict PTSD as a disorder experienced by combat veterans. In reality, this mental health condition can arise in response to a traumatic event of any kind. In other words, any occurrence that causes intense fear, extreme emotional distress, severe physical harm, or danger of death may lead to the development of PTSD.
Possible causes of PTSD
Experiencing the hazards of warfare can serve as one example, but other possible inciting incidents may include the following:
- Life-threatening accidents
- Natural disasters
- Sexual violence
- Abuse from a partner or caregiver
- Sudden loss or grief
- Observing violence or serious harm happening to others
PTSD can affect people of any race, gender, or socioeconomic background. It seems to be more common in women than men, though this could be partly explained by their greater risk of experiencing certain kinds of traumatic events, such as sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7.
The National Center for PTSD estimates that roughly 5% of Americans have PTSD at any given time.
PTSD symptoms
Another reason PTSD may be under-recognized is that its symptoms are often poorly understood. Many people know that this condition can involve re-experiencing events (“flashbacks”) in response to triggers that remind the individual of their trauma. However, they may not be aware of other common symptoms, such as those listed below.
- Partial amnesia surrounding the traumatic occurrence
- Cognitive distortions, such as overly negative self-evaluation
- Difficulty concentrating
- A sense of detachment or “unreality”
- Lack of interest in social interaction or pleasurable activities
- Limited ability to experience positive emotions
- Persistent negative feelings like guilt, shame, fear, and anger
- Irritability and angry outbursts
- Depression
- Trouble sleeping
- A tendency toward risky or self-destructive behavior
- Intrusive thoughts or memories related to the inciting incident
- Constantly feeling on edge
- Avoiding situations, thoughts, or feelings that remind them of their trauma
Not everyone with PTSD experiences all these symptoms. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), a clinical diagnosis usually requires at least six of them, including a mix of different types (including cognitive, reactive, avoidance-related, and re-experiencing symptoms).
People with untreated PTSD tend to be more likely to develop additional mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, panic disorder, and depression. This condition can also come with a substantially increased risk of suicide.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 988 to talk to someone over SMS. Support is available 24/7.
Treatment options for PTSD
Though living with the aftermath of trauma can be distressing and discouraging, evidence suggests that there are many kinds of effective PTSD treatments. While not everyone who receives treatment may recover completely, many do, and most experience considerable improvement in their mental health and quality of life.
Currently, talk therapy seems to have better success rates than pharmacological treatment options, although some relief may be possible with medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which must be prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist.
The following psychotherapeutic methods can reliably produce substantial reductions in symptoms within three to four months of weekly sessions.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), including subtypes like cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
- Exposure-based therapies, such as prolonged exposure therapy (PET)
- Eye movement, desensitization, and reprocessing (EMDR)
Other treatments, such as mindfulness-based therapy or narrative exposure therapy (NET), have also shown promise in trials. However, the methods listed above currently have more evidence behind them.
The importance of National PTSD Awareness Month
The availability of research-backed PTSD treatments may not matter much if those affected don’t recognize their condition and seek help. Research suggests that this can be one of the most commonly overlooked mental illnesses, which can pose a significant barrier to public health efforts.
Spreading greater awareness of the realities of this condition can make it easier for these individuals to receive the support and care they deserve. That may be why the U.S. government instituted National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month in 2014, dedicating the month of June to bringing greater attention to post-traumatic stress disorder.
What can you do to raise PTSD awareness?
If you’re interested in getting involved this June, you can help spread PTSD awareness through the efforts discussed below.
Post and share information about post-traumatic stress disorder
One simple way to join in the ongoing fight against PTSD may be by helping to educate others. Social media can be a useful tool for sharing links to informational resources, such as personal testimonies from survivors. You may also be able to circulate information about PTSD Awareness Month in your workplace, community organization, religious congregation, or any other group to which you belong.
If you’re not sure where to find reliable information, many government agencies and nonprofits offer shareable resources online. Examples include the following:
- The National Institutes of Mental Health
- The National Center For PTSD
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Start discussions about mental health
Changing views about mental illness often happens faster on an in-person level. You may be able to increase PTSD awareness simply by striking up conversations about mental illness with friends or family members. You can share an interesting fact you learned as a way to spark a more in-depth talk.
Speak out against stigma
One common reason for people to avoid getting mental health treatment may be that they fear they’ll be judged negatively if they’re diagnosed. Despite a growing recognition that having a mental illness doesn’t make a person dangerous or incompetent, many people still hold these stigmatizing beliefs.
If you encounter someone expressing bigoted or inaccurate views about PTSD, whether online or in person, consider speaking up and offering a counterpoint. Even if you don’t see the effect right away, you may help others around you feel a bit more hopeful about seeking help.
Participate in National PTSD Awareness Month events
Taking part in awareness-raising events for post-traumatic stress disorder can be a great way to show your solidarity and draw attention to this condition. For example, the National Center for PTSD organizes a “virtual walk” every year, which you can join from any location. You may also be able to find local events organized by charities or businesses in your area. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could even organize your own!
Mental health support for yourself or a loved one with PTSD
The experience of PTSD can be extraordinarily challenging, both for people living with symptoms and those close to them. What can you do to make this easier?
Ideas for helping yourself
- Get screened for PTSD. Only licensed mental health providers can offer a formal diagnosis of PTSD, but screening tools like this one may help you recognize when it’s time to receive an evaluation.
- Practice relaxation techniques. Methods like sensory grounding or mindfulness meditation may help you manage symptoms of anxiety or irritability.
- Take care of your body. Getting plenty of exercise, eating nutritious foods, and maintaining a healthy sleep schedule can lower stress levels and make it easier to cope with PTSD.
- Talk to others with similar experiences. Feelings of isolation can be common for those with post-traumatic stress disorder, but hearing from other people who are in the same boat can help you feel less alone and ashamed.
- Seek therapy. There’s often no substitute for professional psychotherapy in managing PTSD symptoms. Studies suggest that even online therapy can be an effective treatment for PTSD.
Those who live with PTSD may find it more comfortable to attend sessions online than to travel to a therapist’s office in person. Seeking professional help from the comfort of their homes and choosing between video conference, phone call, and online chat may empower them to customize the therapy process to their current comfort levels.
Ideas for helping someone else
- Let them know they’re not alone. People with PTSD often fear that their symptoms will drive away friends or family members. Reassuring them that you’re there for them and you’re on their team may help them feel more secure.
- Find ways to comfort them. You may be able to figure out some ways to provide a sense of safety when the other person is experiencing severe stress, such as talking to them in a calm voice or holding their hand.
- Educate yourself. Finding out more about your loved one’s condition can make you a better source of support.
- Affirm their feelings. Instead of minimizing the other person’s emotions or trying to “talk them out of” being afraid, angry, sad, or ashamed, it may be a good idea to remind them that it’s okay to feel whatever they’re feeling. At the same time, you can remind them of their positive qualities and personal strengths to bolster their resilience.
- Support them in seeking help. You may be able to give some practical assistance in the other person’s recovery journey, such as accompanying them to therapy or helping them keep track of their medication.
- Practice self-care. It can be a good idea to take time here and there to engage in your hobbies, spend time with your personal support network, or simply relax and enjoy yourself. This can help you avoid emotional burnout and enable you to assist the other person effectively.
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