Every year on June 27, National PTSD Awareness Day is marked to create awareness about the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The US Senate who first observed the day in 2010 designated this day.
The organizations along with the government of the US on this day take the opportunity to create dialogues about the mental disorder that mostly affects war veterans.
Women are likely to experience PTSD twice more than men in their lives. PTSD was earlier known as ‘shell shock’ and “combat neurosis” before it was recognized as a mental problem.
In the 1970s the term post-traumatic stress disorder was coined after many US veterans came down with its symptoms. But the fact is that it is not confined only to the war veterans. Apart from army men, victims of rape and abuse, survivors of the disaster, residents in conflict-stricken areas, etc also face PTSD.
As per studies, three percent of people are currently facing PTSD. Although everyone processes shock and grief differently there are some signs of post-traumatic stress disorder that can affect day to day functioning.
As we mark National PTSD Awareness Day, let’s check out symptoms of this mental condition
Avoiding things or people
The one who is undergoing PTSD will avoid certain names or things that remind them of the happening. The might skip mentioning a name, an incident or a person who is connected to the traumatic memory. There are chances that the person stays away from the people in general.
Nightmares of traumatic event
Some people experience frightening nightmares about the traumatic event and they are not just limited to the night as they can even experience memories of the horrifying incident.
Change in behavior
People experiencing PTSD might behave differently and out of character. They may seem angry, irritable, touchy, fearful or alert.
Guilt
This mental condition can cause an excessive amount of guilt in a person especially in the case where the person has survived the tragic event solely. Also, it is known as survivor’s guilt.
Self-destruction
To skip the sufferings and pain caused by the event, some might resort to substance abuse such as drinking, smoking and drug use. Also, people with PTSD may seem reckless with life.
Re-living of tragic event
People with PTSD often see images of the event flashing before their eyes during the day also they say that they suffer the trauma all over again.
Re-enacting of tragic event
Especially the children who undergo traumatic events might be too young and that is the reason they may experience PTSD by enacting the incident through play.
