June is PTSD Awareness Month

June isPTSD Awareness Month. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur inchildren 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. Symptoms of PTSDIntrusive 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 drugsFacts About PTSDAn 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.Link here for PTSD tools and resources.
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: awareness campaigns PTSD. Source Type: blogs