PTSD Awareness Day

June 27th is PTSD Awareness Day and there are plenty of ways you can participate.

As a mental illness treatment center in Boca Raton, we understand the importance of educating the public on all forms of mental illness and bringing awareness to these conditions. We dedicate our time and efforts to helping as many people as possible recover from mental illness and live happy lives. We are offering some additional information about PTSD Awareness Day and how you can participate this year.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder, which is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a traumatic event. Many individuals who experience or witness a terrifying event develop PTSD. This disorder develops when a person is unable to adjust to life after experiencing trauma. While many get better after time and self-care, others may have difficulties getting better and may experience symptoms that interfere with their daily function.

PTSD symptoms are broken down into four categories: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thought or mood, and changes in emotional and physical reactions. These symptoms can worsen over time without mental health treatment and may vary from person to person.

Some common signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include:

• Recurring distressing memories of the traumatic event
• Reliving the event as if it were happening all over again (flashbacks)
• Disturbing dreams or nightmares about the event
• Severe emotional or physical reactions to any reminders of the traumatic event
• Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the event
• Avoiding places, activities, or people that remind you of the event
• Negative thoughts about yourself or others
• Memory problems
• Difficulties maintaining close relationships
• Feeling detached from loved ones
• Difficulties experiencing any positive emotions
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Being easily frightened
• Always being on guard or prepared for any danger
• Difficulties sleeping
• Difficulties concentrating
• Engaging in self-destructive behavior, like substance abuse
• Feeling overwhelming guilt and shame
• Frequent emotional outbursts

An individual suffering from PTSD may turn to substance abuse and other forms of self-harm to cope with their symptoms. This, like other mental illnesses, can affect a person’s life and overall well-being. Banyan Mental Health offers PTSD treatment in Boca Raton for those who are battling this disorder and need to develop healthy coping mechanisms to live a happy and healthy life.

The Importance of National PTSD Awareness Day

The United States Senate assigned PTSD Awareness Day to June 27th to bring awareness to this silent disease. The National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder has also designated June as PTSD Awareness Month, further advancing efforts to help those struggling with this condition. PTSD Awareness Day gives sufferers of this condition a voice and recognition. This is a severe mental health condition that many people know very little about. Choosing a day and even a month to focus on disorders like PTSD encourages the public to pay attention. Bringing awareness to mental disorders by selecting awareness days also educates the public, teaching them how to recognize their symptoms and help others.

Here’s a list of PTSD organizations and resources for more information:

• International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS)
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
• National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• PTSD Alliance
• PTSD Foundation of America
• PTSD United
• SIDRAN Institute: Traumatic Stress Education and Advocacy

Our Banyan mental health treatment also includes different mental health programs in Boca that treat mood and anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, thought disorders, and trauma disorders.

How You Can Participate

It’s not enough to just learn about PTSD, you have to put this knowledge to work. There’s a lot of mental health stigmas behind disorders like PTSD that contribute to the lack of awareness concerning this condition. But you can break that cycle. Here are simple ways you can observe PTSD Awareness Day in 2021:

• Educate yourself on PTSD
• Learn the signs of PTSD
• Find any local walks or events related to PTSD Awareness Day you can volunteer at or participate in
• Volunteer at a foundation or organization that helps people with PTSD
• Talk about PTSD with others

If you or a loved one is battling post-traumatic stress disorder or any other form of mental illness, we can help. Call us now at 888-280-4763 for more information about our residential mental health program in Boca.