June is Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month

June is PTSD Awareness Month: a meaningful time to shed light on one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions affecting millions of Americans today.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is more common than many people realize, and it doesn't discriminate. While PTSD is most often associated with combat veterans returning from war, the truth is that any traumatic experience can leave a lasting imprint on the brain and body. Survivors of abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, psychological trauma, accidents, or any form of violence can all develop PTSD — and so can people who witnessed trauma happen to someone they love.

One of the most important things to understand about PTSD is that it doesn't always show up right away. Symptoms can remain hidden for months or even years after the traumatic event, which is part of why so many people suffer in silence, unsure of why they're struggling or whether what they're experiencing even "counts."

It counts. And help is available.

how do you recognize the signs of PTSD?

There are 3 main signs to look for in someone who may be suffering from this disorder:

• flashbacks

Flashbacks happen when a person remembers the trauma and then actually experiences the same fear and horror that was experienced when the event actually took place. It is as if the person is actually reliving the experience once again. Almost anything can trigger a flashback; a smell, a sound, something one sees. Some people can experience a flashback when they hear of someone else having a similar traumatic experience.

• feeling on edge all of the time

A person who is often in a heightened emotional state, feeling a sense of anxiety and/or fear about something that might happen may be experiencing PTSD. This edginess can result in insomnia, irritability, and living in a constant fear state.

• difficulty expressing feelings

People suffering from PTSD will try and avoid further hurt by staying numb to their feelings. Studies show that 43% of PTSD sufferers develop substance abuse problems as a means of coping and avoiding the feelings associated with their trauma.

treatment is available for PTSD sufferers

More education and awareness of PTSD is much needed, however. Only when people are aware of the signs of PTSD will they become open to seeing it as a real disorder and seek treatment for it, without feeling shame.

At Lifeologie Counseling Raleigh and Durham, our counselors specialize in helping people who have suffered traumatic incidents or have lived through intense situations. We are ready to help you learn new ways in which to cope with those experiences and live more peacefully. Reach out in North Carolina to book a consult with one of our trauma-informed specialists, or search our directory to find a therapist near you.