June is PTSD Awareness Month

RTC Staff
Jun 17
2 min read

When you have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you may feel discomfort with certain memories or frequently be on alert. PTSD can develop in anyone who has experienced a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, combat, sexual assault, or a serious accident. While most people who live through a traumatic event will experience stress reactions afterward, if that stress or bad feeling doesn’t go away or starts interrupting your daily life—you may be dealing with PTSD.

PTSD symptoms fall into four main categories. You can learn more about these symptoms at the National Center for PTSD.

Reliving or re-experiencing the event. You may have nightmares, flashbacks (where you feel like you’re reliving the event), or trauma reminders like places, sounds or smells that cause distress.
Avoidance. You may avoid things, places, or people that remind you of the event. This might mean keeping busy to avoid thinking about the trauma or staying away from people because you feel it’s just easier to be alone.
Negative changes in feelings and beliefs. You may notice changes in the way you think about yourself and others, you might feel guilt or shame about the traumatic event, or lose interest in things or people you used to enjoy.
Hyperarousal or being on guard. You may feel keyed up, on edge, have a difficult time focusing, or feel as if you are “on alert” for danger more often.

If you think you’re experiencing any of these symptoms—don’t wait. Talk to a mental health care provider who can help you determine whether your feelings and behaviors may be related to PTSD. Knowing if you have PTSD is the first step to getting effective treatment—and there are treatment options that can help you begin to feel better and take back control of your life, no matter how long you’ve been living with symptoms of PTSD.

Check out resources from the National Center for PTSD.

No matter what you’re experiencing—you are not alone. PTSD treatment works. Be your own advocate and take the first step toward treatment today!