June is PTSD Awareness Month. June 27 was designated as PTSD Awareness Day in 2010. In 2014, the federal government expanded the recognition of this condition that affects many Veterans and designated the entire month of June as PTSD Awareness Month.
PTSD Awareness Day was established to honor the memory of Staff Sergeant Joe Biel, a National Guard service member who developed PTSD after two tours in Iraq. Sgt. Biel tragically died by suicide in 2007, sparking a greater awareness of the often-tragic toll PTSD takes on the lives of Veterans.
PTSD Awareness Month is a time for learning more about the impact of PTSD, fighting to end the stigma surrounding trauma, and making treatment and accommodation more readily available to those who have post-traumatic stress disorder.
During National PTSD Awareness Month, Berry Law stands strong with Veterans and their families whose lives have been affected by this condition due to their honorable service to our country.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates the National Center for PTSD. It is an integral part of the VA’s Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP). The Center offers resources for anyone struggling with PTSD. There are helpful videos and guides for people who have PTSD as well as their family, friends, and loved ones. It also offers specific information for Veterans.
The National Center for PTSD reports that about 6% of the population will have PTSD at some point in their lives. Approximately 12 million adults in the United States have PTSD during a given year.
The prevalence of PTSD among Veterans varies depending on when they served. Around 11-20 out of every 100 Veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan have PTSD. Similarly, approximately 12 out of every 100 Gulf War Veterans experience PTSD each year. For Vietnam Veterans, it’s estimated that about 30 out of every 100 have dealt with PTSD at some point in their lives.
The VA also operates a 24-hour Veterans Crisis Line to provide confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. The Crisis Line is open 7 days a week. Simply dial 988 and then press 1. Veterans can also chat live or text to 838255.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a psychological condition that affects many men and women in the aftermath of traumatic experiences. Thousands of Veterans have this condition as a result of combat experiences, military sexual trauma (MST), and other life-altering circumstances and experiences that soldiers may endure.
PTSD can significantly affect a person’s ability to function in work, relationships, and everyday life. The primary symptoms of PTSD can be divided into four main categories — avoidance, reliving, negative thoughts and feelings, and arousal.
Many individuals living with PTSD display avoidant behavior. Anything that reminds them of their traumatic experience can be extremely triggering, often causing a downward spiral into panic and anxiety. To avoid these feelings, those with PTSD will often attempt to avoid people, places, and circumstances that bring back traumatic memories.
Individuals with PTSD often also find themselves reliving their trauma. Flashbacks and nightmares are common symptoms of PTSD, and these symptoms can be extremely disturbing and debilitating. Someone with PTSD may also struggle with insomnia, primarily due to the disturbing nature of the nightmares they may regularly experience. Many individuals with PTSD deal with vivid, recurring nightmares that center on their traumatic experiences.
Many individuals with PTSD also deal with negative thoughts and feelings, which can greatly impact their emotional health and well-being. Many may feel a sense of guilt or responsibility for their trauma. This symptom of PTSD is especially common in survivors of sexual assault or abuse.
Another common symptom of PTSD is arousal, a feeling of constantly being anxious or on edge. Many sufferers of PTSD frequently deal with persistent anxiety without a clear cause. This anxiety is often caused by hypervigilance and hyperarousal that stem from a traumatic event or experience, such as military combat or a natural disaster.
Individuals with PTSD may also experience physical symptoms, such as increased blood pressure and heart rate, fatigue, muscle tension, nausea, joint pain, headaches, back pain, or other types of pain. The individual experiencing pain may not realize the connection between their pain and a traumatic event.
For those with chronic pain, the pain may serve as a reminder of the traumatic event, potentially intensifying PTSD symptoms. Some individuals who develop both PTSD and chronic pain may also experience depression and misuse alcohol and prescription medications. Chronic PTSD has been shown to increase the risk of various health issues and decrease life expectancy.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the perception of the lethal threat of the virus was also associated with stress and trauma-related somatic symptoms.
Since 2014, the United States has recognized the month of June as a time to raise awareness for post-traumatic stress disorder and ensure that those suffering from the invisible wounds of war receive proper treatment. Throughout the month, there are several ways to work toward learning more about PTSD, sharing information about it with others, and raising awareness.
The disorder is often underreported, underdiagnosed, and tragically ignored, but individuals can make a difference in their communities. Efforts for the sake of people with PTSD don’t have to end at the end of the month, either — supporting those who have post-traumatic stress disorder and raising awareness for the condition can be a lifelong practice.
Resources and information are available at the VA’s official PTSD Awareness Month website. Here are a few ideas:
PTSD awareness month can be started by pledging to inform others about the disorder through social media. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and other social media platforms are all perfect places to raise PTSD awareness. Information can be shared with friends and followers to increase their understanding of the impact of PTSD, the statistics on how many people suffer from it, and how it can be treated. Download a free image to share on social media at the VA’s official PTSD Awareness Month website.
One never knows who might be reached via the internet – perhaps someone struggling with the impact of a traumatic experience. Many people suffer from PTSD symptoms but do not realize they have a diagnosable, treatable condition. Social media can help reach people around the world about the reality of PTSD. The information shared can truly be life-changing.
Many sufferers of PTSD feel intense shame about their trauma and may avoid seeking treatment or talking to others about their painful experiences. Social media can be a force for good by informing others that people living with PTSD have nothing to be ashamed of.
Many of the sufferers of PTSD, male and female, and survived sexual abuse or assault. Sexual trauma can have extremely damaging long-term effects, and many assault and abuse survivors can spend decades in mental anguish in the aftermath of their trauma.
PTSD caused by sexual trauma often goes undiagnosed because of the toxic stigma that many assault and abuse survivors are subjected to. Survivors of sexual trauma often feel so much shame, fear of judgment or invalidation, and even guilt that they may avoid seeking the treatment and mental health care they need.
By helping to raise awareness for PTSD, the stigma that continues to prevent survivors of sexual trauma from getting the help they need can be ended.
Sometimes, all it takes is one validating, accepting person to make someone feel comfortable enough to talk about their traumatic experiences. Many survivors of assault and abuse feel alone, and many more are afraid that the people around them will not listen if they open up about their trauma.
PTSD is an extremely common condition among Veterans. Soldiers on active duty can endure many traumatic experiences and events, and a soldier’s time in the military can psychologically affect them for life. Many Veterans develop PTSD because of combat experiences, military sexual trauma, or as a result of the intense stress of military service.
In addition to the support and care that can be personally provided to loved ones with PTSD, spreading information about the treatment options that exist to help these individuals manage their symptoms and lead more fulfilling lives is important. These include trauma-focused psychotherapy, support groups, and a range of other PTSD treatments.
Many Veterans are left severely disabled by their PTSD. The disorder can make it difficult for them to find jobs, leaving them in financial distress and unable to support themselves or their families. However, many Veterans who have service-connected PTSD do not know that their disability can qualify them for monthly benefits from the VA.
The tax-free compensation offered to Veterans with service-connected PTSD can be life-changing. If a Veteran is left severely disabled by the long-term effects of their trauma, they may not be able to work. The VA’s monthly disability benefits can allow them to remain financially stable even if they cannot work.
An experienced PTSD lawyer can help Veterans file a claim for disability compensation or appeal an earlier claim that was denied. VA disability benefits lawyers have experience with the claims process and can help Veterans make the connection between their military service and PTSD. Establishing this nexus provides a path for a disability rating for benefits Veterans deserve.
PTSD is nothing to be ashamed of. Fear of being judged or disbelieved should not stop Veterans or any other individuals from getting the validation, support, and treatment they need.
PTSD is a complex and multifaceted condition. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing PTSD, interventions such as therapy, medication, support groups, and lifestyle changes can all play a role in helping individuals manage their symptoms and regain a sense of control over their lives.
Raising awareness about PTSD and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health is crucial for both Veterans and civilians. By fostering understanding, empathy, and support within communities, we can create environments where individuals feel comfortable seeking help and accessing the resources they need to heal and thrive.
Ultimately, whether it’s a Veteran returning from service or a civilian navigating the aftermath of a traumatic event, everyone affected by PTSD deserves compassion, respect, and the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives. By coming together as a society to support those impacted by PTSD, we can work towards building a more inclusive and supportive community for all.
Those with PTSD can get help from a mental health professional. Veterans can get help at their local Veterans Affairs office. Veterans who need assistance getting VA disability compensation for PTSD can contact Berry Law. Call our legal team at 888-883-2483 or fill out our online contact form. We represent Veterans in all 50 states and our legal team is available 24/7.
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