June is PTSD Awareness Month

Psychological Perspectives with Dr. Deb

June is PTSD Awareness Month.  

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur in children and adults who’ve experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. This can include a natural disaster, accident, physical/sexual/emotional abuse, terrorist act, war/combat, rape or other types of violent personal assaults.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a treatable mental health disorder. 

• Intrusive memories: Upsetting dreams or reoccurring flashbacks about the event.

• Avoidance: Avoiding the memory of the event, or places and people that remind you of the event.

• Negative changes in thinking or mood: Feeling numb or sad, having low self-esteem, and feeling hopeless about the future.

• Changes in emotional reactions: Irritable, angry outbursts, feeling guilty or ashamed, and/or being easily frightened.

• Reliance on substances such as alcohol or drugs

Facts About PTSD

• An estimated 70% of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives.

• Upwards of 40% of girls and boys experience at least one trauma as a child or adolescent. 

• Among people who are experience or witness a severe traumatic experience,  60 – 80% will develop PTSD.

• An estimated 1 out of 10 women will get PTSD at some time in their lives. 

• Studies estimate that 1 in every 5 military personnel experiences PTSD.

• PTSD increases the risk for suicide, especially if it is undiagnosed or untreated.