June is PTSD Awareness Month.
What is PTSD?
PTSD stands for post traumatic stress disorder. It is an anxiety disorder that people experience after seeing or living through an event that was harmful. Symptoms can include irritability, anger, dreams of trauma, sleep problems, relationship issues, and isolation. PTSD can be treated, but it may take years for it to go away even after the event occurs.
Why is this month important?
Dedicating this month to raising awareness is important on many levels. PTSD can be experienced by a variety of people such as veterans or civilians who have survived sexual assault, natural disasters, or other traumatic events. This month is important because it raises awareness for the disorder and reassures that there is treatment available. Additionally this month is dedicated to relieving any stigma felt while experiencing this disorder. It is a serious condition, and can be treated. This month we also honor the families and support groups that are helping those dealing with PTSD as well, and honoring their service as care providers.
How to participate?
The US Department of Veterans Affairs created a calendar of events of daily activities you can do in order to spread the word about PTSD and its effective treatments.
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