June 27th is National PTSD Awareness Day, a day to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is a mental health problem that can develop after a person has been exposed to one or more traumatic events.
Some traumatic events that may cause or trigger PTSD in someone may include:
- Physical or sexual assault
- Mental or physical abuse
- War-related combat stress
- Terrorism
- Natural or man-made disasters
- Other threats on a person’s life
PTSD affects everyone differently and those who struggle with PTSD may experience different symptoms. Typical symptoms may consist of distressing dreams, persistent thoughts and recurring flashbacks of the traumatic event(s), avoidance or numbing of traumatic memories, triggered emotional responses, or persistent hyperarousal. Those who struggle with severe PTSD may also suffer from suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.
It is important to raise awareness about this mental disorder to educate people and provide those affected by PTSD with access to treatment.
If you or someone you know struggles with PTSD or other mental health disorders, call the PTSD Crisis Hotline or call 988.