Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a complex mental health condition that impacts many people in our communities, not just veterans. That’s why every June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time dedicated to having important conversations focused on understanding the condition, who it affects, and how we can help.

Those who are exposed to traumatic events such as assault, violence, accidents, disasters, and displacement are at risk for PTSD, although not all will develop it. Diagnosis will depend on the presence of qualifying symptoms (below) that last more than a month and disrupt daily life. Additionally, symptoms may develop weeks or months after the event.

PTSD symptoms may include:

• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Trembling or shaking
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Changes in appetite
• Trouble sleeping
• Racing thoughts
• Unusual irritability
• Being easily startled
• Shock or disbelief related to the event
• Fear of the future
• Feelings of grief, helplessness, guilt, anger, or shame

For those living with PTSD, stress may be managed with simple changes in daily habits,
including:

• Limiting time spent on news and social platforms that share triggering or upsetting
  content
• Recognizing that your feelings are valid and distress is expected
• Focusing on what can be controlled to restore a sense of self-agency
• Exercising to reduce symptoms of anxiety and tension stored in the body
• Connecting with others regularly to build feelings of safety and support
• Taking deep breaths to help regulate the body’s nervous system and stress responses
• Getting good sleep and quality nutrition to improve your body’s resilience

With the right care, individuals experiencing PTSD can experience meaningful recovery. Recognizing the signs early and ensuring timely treatment are two of the most impactful ways
to achieve positive outcomes.

If you notice that you or someone in your life is experiencing PTSD symptoms that interfere with
daily life for longer than a month, clinical interventions such as CBT, CPT, EMDR, prolonged
exposure, and/or narrative exposure therapies might be necessary.

Learn more about mental health topics by visiting https://www.carelonwellbeing.com/cvt.

Or explore more information on PTSD from CredibleMind.

https://cvt.crediblemind.com/topics/ptsd?query=

https://cvt.crediblemind.com/articles/what-is-ptsd

https://cvt.crediblemind.com/articles/treatments-for-ptsd

https://cvt.crediblemind.com/articles/ptsd-and-trauma-how-to-cope-with-traumatic-events