PTSD Awareness Month

June is PTSD awareness month. Around 8 million people in the U.S. have PTSD. And even though there are effective treatments for PTSD, many people do not receive the help they need due to low awareness.

PTSD, or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, can occur for several reasons. People can develop PTSD after any traumatic event. This can include veterans or people who have experienced natural disasters, sexual assault, or serious accidents.  Studies have shown that people who experience a long-lasting traumatic event or get injured during the event may have an increased chance of developing PTSD.

A person with PTSD may experience symptoms such as feeling anxious or on edge, experiencing bad memories or flashbacks or having trouble sleeping. These symptoms can begin to interfere with daily life.

There are several approaches to PTSD treatment, and different treatments may work better for different people. Therapy is one effective option, and several different types of therapy can be helpful. These include:

Medication is also an effective treatment for PTSD. Your doctor may prescribe you an antidepressant. Often, in addition to helping to treat your PTSD symptoms, these treatments can also alleviate additional symptoms that may have arisen due to your traumatic events, such as insomnia, depression, and chronic pain.