During PTSD Awareness Month in June, many people wonder how they can help shed light on the prevalence and severity of the disorder. Many organizations host PTSD awareness activities throughout the month, but you don’t have to wait until June to learn more about the condition; a PTSD treatment program can help you or someone you love at any time.
PTSD is a crippling, devastating mental health condition that a person can develop following a traumatic event or series of events. Symptoms can disrupt daily life for the individual and those they work, live, and interact with. If you or a loved one have PTSD, help is just a phone call away. Contact BlueCrest Recovery today at 888.292.9652.
PTSD Awareness Month: Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD can be triggered after a person experiences or witnesses terrifying and traumatizing events. Different events can affect people differently, and no two people experience symptoms in the same way. Some people experience nightmares and flashbacks, while others simply avoid discussing the incident.
What Causes PTSD?
It’s important to remember—not just during PTSD Awareness Month but year-round—that the exact cause of the condition is unknown. However, a combination of factors is thought to contribute to PTSD, including the following:
- Genetics
- A person’s individual coping skills
- The severity of the traumatic event
- The person’s personal history
This mental health condition can develop after sexual assault, combat, car accidents, or other devastating experiences.
It’s normal for people to be upset following an experience like this, and it’s also normal for them to have trouble sleeping, have upsetting memories, or feel disconnected. However, if these changes in mood last more than a few weeks, they could actually be symptoms of PTSD.
What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?
Each person experiences different levels of symptoms associated with PTSD. While some may go through all of the following, others may only experience one or two of them. Likewise, people can be affected by the same symptom on different levels. What one may suffer greatly from on a daily basis, another person might experience a few times a month.
Some of the symptoms of PTSD can include the following:
- Feeling on edge
- Having trouble with insomnia
- Avoiding triggers
- Avoiding thinking or talking about the event
- Feeling bouts of anger and irritability
- Being easily startled
- Reliving the event through nightmares, flashbacks, and uncontrolled memories
In addition, many experience physical symptoms, including muscle tension, stomach aches, and headaches. They also often have persistent negative thoughts about themselves and the world in general.
Some people experience episodes where they lose touch with reality, known as psychosis. This can resemble flashbacks and isn’t always easy to recognize.
How to Raise Awareness for PTSD
If you’re interested in raising awareness for PTSD, there are several ways to go about it. What’s more, you don’t have to be personally impacted by the disorder to help those dealing with it.
Talk About It
One of the best ways you can help is by talking about PTSD. There is a stigma associated with many mental health conditions, including this one. Just discussing the topic and bringing it to the attention of others can help break down that stigma.
Volunteer
Another way to increase PTSD awareness is to volunteer in a support group. Volunteering allows you to help others struggling with the disorder and give back to your community at the same time. You don’t need to be an expert in the subject; sometimes, a person with PTSD is comforted by just having someone with them.
Encourage People to Get Help
Part of raising PTSD awareness is ensuring that people know where to get help when they need it. Whether you choose to contribute by raising money for a charity that supports PTSD victims or by simply educating yourself about the treatment programs in your area, you can help.
Support PTSD Awareness with BlueCrest Recovery
There are several effective treatments available that can help those who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. If you know someone who needs PTSD treatment, reach out to BlueCrest Recovery at 888.292.9652.
