Let's Talk about PTSD
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Some examples include a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist act, war/combat, sexual assault/violence, death of a loved one, serious injury, and more.
1 in 13 people will develop PTSD at some point in their life and 70% of adults experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.
A few signs/symptoms of PTSD include:
- Intrusive memories
- Reliving traumatic event
- Upsetting dreams or nightmares
- Severe emotional distress
- Avoidance
- Attempting to avoid thinking or talking about traumatic event
- Avoiding places, activities, or people that remind you of the traumatic event
- Negative changes in thinking and mood
- Negative thoughts about yourself, others, or the world
- Hopelessness about the future
- Memory problems
- Difficulty maintaining close relationships
- Feeling detached from family & friends
- Lack of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Changes in physical and emotional reactions
- Easily startled or frightened
- Always on guard for danger
- Self-destructive behavior
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble concentrating
- Irritability, anger, or outburst of aggressive behavior
- Overwhelming guilt or shame
PTSD prognosis may be improved by:
- Mental health counseling
- Social support (support group)
- Avoided re-traumatization
- High level of functioning before the onset of PTSD
- Medication prescribed by a doctor
June 27th is PTSD Awareness Day and the month of June is PTSD Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD symptoms, we would love to start the conversation with you here at Rise Counseling & Diagnostics. Contact us today at 501-891-5492 to Get Started.
References for this article include: therecoveryvillage.com, psychiatry.org, and mayoclinic.org.