PTSD Awareness Day, June 27

The Wall - Survivor's Guilt

Understanding PTSD —Signs and Symptoms

by Richard Taite

June 27 is PTSD Awareness Day – a day that was created to help our communities understand some of the sacrifice our military veterans have made in service to our country. 

For the lay reader who may not know a lot about PTSD, here’s some general information that may aid you in better understanding those who suffer from it.

What is PTSD?

According to the Mayo Clinic, PTSD is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event. This may be abuse (as a child or adult), terrorist attack, combat, serious accident or natural disaster. About 61 % of men and 51% or women experience trauma in their lives. Of those experiencing trauma, 8% of men and 20% of women will develop PTSD.

What are Some Symptoms of PTSD?

• Fear or anxiety
• Feeling on alert, increased jumpiness, trouble sleeping
• Sadness or depression
• Crying spells, loss of interest in things that you used to enjoy, wanting to be alone all the time
• Guilt & shame
• Feeling responsible for the event, guilt that you survived the trauma that others did not
• Anger & irritability
• Lashing out at family, less patience with own kids, overreacting to small misunderstandings
• Behavior changes
• Alcohol abuse, using drugs, smoking too much, driving aggressively, neglecting health
• Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing)
• Nightmares and triggers that cause memories
• Avoiding situations that hold reminders of the event
• Crowds may feel dangerous, avoid driving if the trauma was a vehicle accident, keeping busy to avoid thinking or talking about event, feeling numb or feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousall)

Who Suffers Most Often from PTSD?

• Women and minorities
• Those with little education
• Those that have suffered an earlier trauma or life-threatening event
• Those that have another mental health problem or a family history of such
• Those with little support from family and friends
• Those with recent stressful life changes

How do I Know if I Have PTSD or if Someone I Love Does?

PTSD is diagnosed by a mental health professional, usually in one to two sessions. There are also a number of screening tools that everyday people can use to help them. These tools can guide a person toward the kind of help they may need to feel better.

Depression

Can PTSD be Cured?

“Being cured” or “getting better” are terms that mean different things to different people. But there are different therapies that can help people with PTSD live normal lives and get the support and help they need to feel better. Those therapies include:

Psychotherapy. There are a few different methods for helping those with PTSD, but most are done while meeting with a professional therapist once a week for 3-6 months.

Alternative Therapies. These may include writing, yoga, acupuncture, meditation, massage and other therapies that aid in physical healing as well as emotional.

“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do, and by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale


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