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Posts Tagged ‘PTSD Awareness Month’

June is Recognized as National PTSD Awareness Month with June 27 being Recognized by the Senate as National PTSD Awareness Day. By Our Student Pharmacist, Aaron Reed.

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PTSD Basics

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that can be developed after experiencing or witnessing life-threatening, extremely fearful, or emotional events, like combat, a natural disaster, sexual assault, or physical/medical illness.

Over the past year with the outbreak of COVID-19, individuals throughout the world have experienced extremely life-changing events, many of which could have a long-lasting impact. Normally individuals who experience similar events can have upsetting memories, experience anxiety, or have trouble getting back to their normal lives. Typically, these symptoms subside after a few weeks or months; however, in some occasions, these symptoms can last longer and may possibly develop into a post-traumatic stress disorder.

Anyone can develop PTSD at any age, from any situation or at any time, with some events lasting for years and symptoms that may come and go. Thankfully, as the awareness for PTSD continues to rise, the access to and development of treatments has exponentially increased allowing the individuals suffering to find relief. 

History of PTSD

PTSD in some form or another has long been documented in history. The earliest known record of the disorder dates all the way back to 50 BC where Hippocrates, the great physician considered to be one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine, described a soldier who had experienced PTSD-like combat flashbacks from a traumatic battle event. Since then, PTSD has been consistently mentioned, notably during many American Wars, The Great Depression, and even the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1919.

As history went on and more research began to be conducted into the causes of PTSD, the development of treatments coincided with the increases in research.

Today, post-traumatic stress disorder is considered highly treatable with the use of two main types of treatment: psychotherapy (also referred to as counseling or talk therapy) and medication. Sometimes combining psychotherapy and medication can be useful in some patients.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD is a very complicated mental condition and many times it can be challenging to officially diagnose, as patients can have a very hard time discussing past traumas. With that being said, it is prevalent in approximately 4% of the population affecting almost 8 million individuals nationwide. Being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of PTSD, whether in yourself or others, can minimize time to diagnosis and increase early access to treatment. Symptoms of PTSD can come and go, returning when people are under stress or see or hear something that reminds them of the trauma.

These signs and symptoms include:

  • Reliving the trauma through thoughts and feelings ( i.e upsetting memories, nightmares, or flashbacks – “seeing” or feeling the trauma over and over again).
  • Avoiding certain people, places, or activities to reduce triggering a remembrance event.
  • Becoming “numb” to the world around them. They might not enjoy activities they used to enjoy or feel part of the world around them.
  • Having intense feelings, such as anger, fear, or worry. They might frighten or startle more easily. Many people have trouble sleeping.

Unfortunately, these symptoms affect the everyday lives of these individuals leading to negative effects on their mental, social, emotional, and professional well-being. If you believe that you or someone close to you suffers from signs or symptoms like these, encourage the pursuit of treatment to begin the road to recovery.

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Raise PTSD Awareness

We hope that you learned a little about the signs and symptoms of PTSD, and examples of what it can look like. Educating yourself on the resources and treatments that can be offered to someone struggling can help them find the treatment they need to recover.

After you are familiar with the illness, try going to the National Center for PTSD’s website and take the pledge to raise PTSD awareness.

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