PTSD Awareness Month: Common Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Treatment
Approximately one out of six people in the United States are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder at some point during their lives. Not everyone who has experienced trauma will have PTSD, but a significant percentage does. In honor of these numbers, it can be essential to increase awareness and support of what PTSD is and how it can impact individuals and their loved ones.
June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month, a time to be more conscious of the disorder and its associated symptoms and raise PTSD awareness. In honor of increasing the visibility of this trauma-related stress disorder, consider looking further into the definition, statistics, diagnosis, and treatment options surrounding PTSD.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness caused by a traumatic situation, event, or experience that is directly experienced or witnessed. The American Psychiatric Association states, “People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended.”
Some people who experience a traumatic event may cope and heal with time. However, when someone struggles to move past the event or function in daily life, they may be living with a mental health condition.
Who can be diagnosed with PTSD?
In the past, PTSD was often only considered in the case of soldiers and other war veterans. However, psychological research has developed, and researchers know that anyone at any age or life stage can develop PTSD—not just veterans. Women are most likely to be diagnosed with PTSD.
Not everyone who goes through a traumatic event or series of traumatic events develops PTSD. Those who have a healthy support system, see a therapist, and have positive coping strategies may be more likely to recover faster.
What causes PTSD?
Various events can cause PTSD. Two people who go through the same situation may react differently, and the perceived severity of a traumatic event may not correlate with the severity of the mental illness someone experiences. Potential traumatic events may include but are not limited to the following:
- Serious accidents
- Physical assault
- Sexual assault
- Verbal, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
- Health challenges
- The loss of a baby
- Going through natural disasters like a tornado or hurricane
- Exposure to combat or war
- Threats to your safety or life
- The loss of a loved one in a traumatic or unexpected manner, or in general
- Childhood abuse or neglect
If you are facing or witnessing abuse of any kind, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 for support. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788. You can also use the online chat.
Not everyone who experiences the above events may develop PTSD. However, these events are common causes of the condition. If you experience a traumatic event or series of events, seek support from a professional to lower your risk of developing a severe mental illness.
What is PTSD Awareness Month?
On June 25th, 2015, the United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution to designate June National PTSD Awareness Month to improve the diagnostic rate and treatment availability for post-traumatic stress disorder. The Senate resolution, headed by Senator Mark R. Warner of Virginia, recognized that PTSD is often underreported and undertreated due to stigma and lack of awareness.
Since then, June has been known as National PTSD Awareness Month, with June 27th being named the official National PTSD Awareness Day. Individuals in the United States dedicate this month to an opportunity to raise awareness for PTSD, reduce stigma, and spread the word that treatment is available.
Around 20 million people in the United States are living with PTSD. Although modern PTSD treatments can have promising results, some people do not seek support due to stigma. Some may not know they can have PTSD if they aren’t veterans, while others might believe they don’t need help or would be better off alone.
PTSD Awareness Month provides an ample opportunity to spread the word about the signs of PTSD and where to go if you or a loved one may have it. When more people know the treatment options that are available to them, they may have a better chance of receiving support and care.
Each June and year-round, you can pledge to raise awareness, joining the millions of other people with similar goals and commitments. If you have PTSD, you can also take an online or in-person screening test and contact a professional to discuss your results.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD symptoms can vary from person to person. However, some of the most common symptoms include the following:
- Intrusive thoughts or upsetting memories
- Recurrent dreams related to the traumatic event
- Intense reactions to emotional or physical triggers
- Flashbacks (reliving the memories) of the event
- Numbness or apathy
- Avoidance of places, people, situations, or items that remind you of your trauma
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Persistent negative thoughts
- Appetite changes
- Irritability
- Anxiety or fear
- Negative thought processes
- Mood changes
- Reckless behavior
- Guilt or shame
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Social withdrawal
- Aggression or anger
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text 988 to talk to a crisis provider over SMS. They are available 24/7 to offer support. 988 also offers an online chat for those with an internet connection.
Contact a mental health professional if you or a loved one are experiencing the above symptoms. A therapist or psychiatrist can offer an accurate diagnosis and provide you with resources for your next steps. Note that some of the symptoms above can also be symptoms of another mental illness, so a proper diagnosis can be essential.
How is PTSD diagnosed?
According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, you may have PTSD if you continue to experience distressing feelings, thoughts, or memories related to a traumatic incident or series of incidents several months after they have occurred. However, to receive a diagnosis of PTSD, you must speak with a medical provider.
A mental health provider can perform a psychological evaluation to ask questions about your past and symptoms. They may ask about the specific event that caused your distress. Using the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the DSM-5TR, the provider can assess your symptoms and evaluate whether you meet the criteria for PTSD. In people over six years of age, these criteria include:
- Exposure to a threat like death, serious injury, or sexual violence that is directly experienced or witnessed
- Development of intrusive symptoms after the event occurs, including but not limited to flashbacks, memories, nightmares, and other psychological reactions
- Avoidance of situations, people, or locations that remind you of the traumatic event
- Negative cognitions and moods due to the event
- Noticeable changes in behavior, arousal, or reactivity because of the experience
- Persisting symptoms for over a month
- Clinical significant distress in social, occupational, or other areas of life
- Symptoms that are not a result of substance use or another mental illness
It may take time before someone develops PTSD. In some cases, people develop the condition immediately after the traumatic experience. However, symptoms may begin years after the traumatic event has ended for others. Since each person experiences PTSD differently, involving professionals from the beginning can be beneficial.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources.
Treatment options for PTSD
PTSD is a treatable condition. Those who develop this type of trauma-related disorder may be able to learn new coping skills to help them live happier, healthier lives. Standard PTSD treatment options include the following.
Therapy
Working alongside a therapist, you may develop new coping mechanisms, skills, and tools for living with and moving past PTSD. There are specific therapeutic modalities developed to treat PTSD or studied in the treatment of this condition. These include trauma-focused psychotherapy methods, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), brief eclectic psychotherapy (BEP), or narrative exposure therapy (NET), among others.
Medication
Sometimes, therapy may be challenging for those with PTSD. A doctor may recommend medication to improve mood, concentration, and overall well-being while someone goes through therapy. However, consult a doctor before starting, changing, or stopping a medication.
Combination treatment
PTSD treatments can help clients work toward recognizing and addressing the root of their challenging symptoms. Medication-based PTSD treatments work by minimizing and managing distressing symptoms.
Though PTSD is no longer classified as an anxiety disorder, some similarities exist between PTSD and anxiety disorders. There is also a high rate of comorbidity in the development of anxiety disorders with PTSD. Some available treatments can address both conditions simultaneously.
Untreated PTSD can cause serious psychological harm over time, but many resources exist to help you recover from the events that caused your PTSD. People respond differently to different treatments, so the most effective PTSD treatment may depend on your preferences. You might also try different therapy methods, switch therapists, or investigate medication for a combination approach. Further, you can participate in important events like National Recovery Month to raise awareness.
Lifestyle changes for coping with PTSD
Besides medication and therapy, there are a few lifestyle changes you can consider, including the following:
- Getting enough rest at night
- Eating healthy meals
- Exercising regularly
- Spending time with loved ones
- Journaling
- Practicing mindfulness
- Joining a support group
By being proactive, you can stay ahead of your health and potentially prevent challenges from arising.
How to support someone with PTSD
Although you may not understand PTSD or what someone is going through, you can take specific steps to offer them support. Try to ensure they know they are not alone, and tell them how you can help. Below are a few tips:
- Ask them how you can help instead of assuming.
- Try not to pressure them. Be patient and wait for them to be comfortable enough to talk.
- Practice compassion.
- Try not to be judgmental.
- Be empathetic about their circumstances.
- Learn about their triggers.
- Listen when they talk about what they are going through.
- Learn everything you can about PTSD from trusted, reputable sources.
- Remove triggers from your household if you live together.
- Encourage them to reach out for professional support and resources.
- Do not try to “fix” them or their situation.
While supporting someone with PTSD can be kind, try not to neglect yourself in the process. You may be better suited to supporting others when caring for yourself.
Professional support options
Reaching out for professional support may be daunting for some people with PTSD. In-person appointments can require a significant time and financial commitment. If you’re looking for approachable and cost-effective treatment, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may benefit you.
A study published in BMC Psychiatry found that internet-based therapy can have long-lasting positive effects on those with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Once you sign up with an online platform, you can be matched with a therapist to speak to throughout the week. Clients can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions from any device with an internet connection. This flexibility allows you to have control over how you receive therapy.
Takeaway
Content Warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention trauma-related topics that could be triggering to the reader. Please see our Get Help Now page for more immediate resources.
What color ribbon is for PTSD?
Most people have elected the teal blue ribbon to represent post-traumatic stress disorder; and the experiences that survivors may face both during and after the trauma occurs.
What day is PTSD Awareness Day?
While survivors can celebrate the small wins every day, most people recognize June 27th as National PTSD Awareness Day. This day is designed to offer support and visibility to those experiencing symptoms and their family members; promoting healthy rapport about the condition and its related effects.
Is there a national PTSD day?
Yes. Many celebrate National PTSD Day on June 27th, and work to raise awareness about medications, effective PTSD treatments and other forms of assistance that people can receive. It also calls attention to survivor experiences, bringing a higher level of validation and visibility to millions around the country.
Why is June PTSD Awareness Month?
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the federal government formally designated the month of June as PTSD awareness month in 2014. The main goal for many organizations during this month is to connect survivors with mental health providers and effective PTSD treatments that can help.
What is a symbol for PTSD?
Many believe that the primary symbol for PTSD is the teal ribbon mentioned above. However, survivors of PTSD who served in the military (such as in military combat divisions) may align more with the military-specific ribbon, which is yellow and black.
Is PTSD considered a serious mental illness?
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, can have serious and lasting effects on a person’s mental and physical health. Some symptoms associated with the condition can include trouble sleeping, gastrointestinal distress, emotional distress, outbursts and hallucinations.
Those experiencing symptoms can find support from a therapist with or without a formal diagnosis.
Is PTSD a Purple Heart?
PTSD is not the same as the Purple Heart Award, which is generally given to soldiers who were wounded or killed in service to the United States Armed Forces. While soldiers may return from battle with the condition (such as they might if they’ve served two tours in a hostile area, or if they’ve experienced some form of advanced trauma in combat)—this does not necessarily equate to a Purple Heart distinction.
What are the 17 symptoms of PTSD?
Many experts have found that the condition, in many cases, can be expressed in 17 distinct mental and physical health symptoms. These can include:
- Mood swings: Survivors living with PTSD might experience rapid and severe mood swings, often oscillating between negative and positive emotions.
- Agitation: Many survivors may feel agitated, even if they have been removed from the traumatic environment.
- Memory loss: Survivors may experience short- and long-term memory loss, depending on their unique experiences.
- Headaches: The strain caused by the condition can lead to headaches in some.
- Concentration difficulties: Survivors may find it difficult to concentrate, as PTSD can lead to long-term feelings of fight-or-flight. This can lead to exhaustion over time, which can make it even more difficult to concentrate.
- Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts*: PTSD can lead to suicidal ideation or attempts if not addressed.
- Nervousness: Survivors may feel on-edge constantly, regardless of the presence or absence of stress in their current setting. This can lead to exhaustion over time.
- Depression or deep sadness: Survivors can experience prolonged sadness that can manifest as depressive disorder, and may benefit from medication or intervention.
- Panic episodes: A panic episode can look different for many, often including symptoms like difficulty breathing and a racing heart.
- Paranoid tendencies: Survivors may perceived that they are being targeted by others or by life itself, possibly leading to excessive nervousness or a compromised quality of life.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder: OCD can co-occur in survivors of PTSD; possibly leading to nervousness and a compromised quality of life for many.
- Shakiness: Stress from previous trauma can manifest as shakiness in many who live with PTSD.
- Nightmares: The excessive stress that trauma can cause can lead to night terrors, which can compromise one’s ability to get quality sleep.
- Flashbacks: Flashbacks can occur if a survivor is triggered by something in their environment that reminds them of past traumas. These can lead to ongoing mental or physical symptoms.
- General sleep disturbances: Survivors may experience general sleeping difficulties; such as insomnia or restlessness that can prevent them from getting quality rest.
- Hypervigilance: Survivors may live with a sense of hypervigilance, which can inhibit them from feeling safe in their surroundings.
- Substance use disorders: Some survivors may turn to substance use to cope, which can turn into substance use disorder over time.
Survivors and their families can find support for any of these symptoms in therapy, and by speaking to their healthcare provider.
*If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, please reach out to the National Suicide Hotline at 988. Support is available on a 24/7 basis, 365 days a year.
What colors are best for PTSD?
The most widely recognized color for PTSD is generally regarded to be teal, as we see in the teal PTSD awareness ribbon design. People may also attribute yellow and black as “PTSD-related colors,” as these colors specifically recognize those in the military who live with the condition.
What does PTSD do to the brain?
PTSD can lead to hypersensitivity of one’s amygdala, which is an area of the brain that processes fear and emotions related to stress. This can lead to hyper-activation of one’s stress response; which can be related to mental health disorders (such as anxiety) or hypersecretion of cortisol—a stress hormone that can cause physical effects in the body.
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