Bobbie O'Brien
Dorie Griggs
Liisa Hyvarinen Temple
Michelle VanHuss
Tracie Ciambotti
Jackie Dorr
Courtesy of the VA National Center for PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is usually associated with returning combat veterans, but did you know civilians can experience it too?
Living through a traumatic event can stress almost anyone and leave them with PTSD-like symptoms such as being jumpy or having nightmares, but that does not mean you have PTSD.
Bottom line whether military or civilian, we all need to know more about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Enter the VA’s National Center for PTSD which has established PTSD Awareness Day June 27, 2011.
Why wait? Here’s a very comprehensive web page on Everything You Want to Know About PTSD and Should Ask About courtesy of Veterans Today.
PTSD Category Symptoms:
- Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms)
- Avoiding situations that remind you of the event
- Feeling numb
- Feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousal)
If you think you may have PTSD, here’s an online PTSD Screening Tool.
Children and adults, military and civilian, anyone can develop PTSD. The key is recognizing the symptoms and getting help early with the PTSD and any other related problems.
- Depression
- Drinking or drug problems
- Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair
- Employment or school problems
- Relationships problems
- Physical symptoms
It’s important that everyone understand PTSD even if it’s not touched your family or friends, but if it has, you can help a family member. Here’s a list of where to get help for PTSD.
PTSD Awareness Day is just over a week away, you have time to study up and help someone, maybe yourself.
Here are some things you can do:
- Visit www.ptsd.va.gov to learn more about trauma and PTSD. Special postings will be made each week throughout June.
- Print educational materials from the site to hand out.
- Post a PTSD Awareness Day flyer (PDF) in a common area, where it can be seen.
- Add a link to www.ptsd.va.gov or a PTSD Information Badge onto your Website or Facebook page.
Filed under: Caregivers, Depression, Health - Physical and Mental, Military families, PTSD, Substance Abuse, Suicide Prevention, Veterans, Veterans Administration Tagged: | Anxiety, combat stress, Disorders, Health, Mental health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, postaday2011, Posttraumatic stress disorder, Psychological trauma, PTSD Awareness Day, VA National Center for PTSD, Veteran
I sympathise. I have been through it myself.
Non-military people are probably less likely to recognize they need help for something traumatic that they have been through. As always good information Bobbie.
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There is a great new Free Ebook by Ken Smith a Vietnam Vet trying to pass along information to Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan
http://www.ptsdsecrets.com or http://www.twitter.com/ptsdsecrets
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