PTSD Awareness Month: Symptoms, Treatment & Support

June is National PTSD Awareness Month, dedicated to raising public awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Experiencing a traumatic event does not automatically give someone PTSD, and in fact many people are able to move on from such events without developing PTSD. However, the reality is that there are still millions of people living with this challenging mental health condition.

PTSD can affect anyone who has gone through or witnessed a traumatic event, whether that is military combat, physical assault, accidents, natural disasters, or emotional trauma.

Some demographics are more likely to develop PTSD than others. For instance, women are twice or even three times as likely to develop PTSD than men, in part because of the increased likelihood of women experiencing traumatic events like domestic violence.

National PTSD Awareness Month can shed light on the message that healing is possible with the right support and treatment.

What Is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

While it is common to experience distress after a traumatic experience, PTSD involves symptoms that persist for more than a month after the traumatic event.

Common Symptoms of PTSD

Intrusive memories: flashbacks, nightmares, or unwanted thoughts about the trauma; these can be frighteningly realistic so that it can indeed feel like it is happening again
Avoidance: steering clear of places, people, or situations that remind the person of the trauma; not wanting to think or talk about the trauma is also common, and may make the condition worse because it leaves symptoms and conflicts unaddressed
Negative changes in thinking and mood: feelings of hopelessness, memory problems, emotional numbness, detachment, estrangement, paranoia, and losing interest in things that used to be interesting; a common issue is coming to believe falsehoods about the cause or consequences of the trauma, perhaps even blaming oneself for it
Changes in physical and emotional reactions: easily startling, feeling tense or irritable, impulsivity or heedless risk-seeking, distractibility, having trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating

These symptoms must last more than a month and significantly affect one’s daily functioning, or cause significant distress, to merit a PTSD diagnosis.

PTSD Is More Common Than You Might Think

Across the world population, approximately 4% has had post-traumatic stress disorder at some point.

PTSD is commonly seen in:

Veterans and military personnel
First responders
Survivors of abuse and violence
People who have experienced medical trauma or chronic illness
Refugees and immigrants exposed to conflict or persecution
Communities who have experienced natural disasters

Mental Health Care Treatments for PTSD

PTSD is a treatable mental health disorder, and many patients achieve remission with therapy or a combination of therapy and medication. Some PTSD-specific treatments that are useful include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps individuals identify and reframe negative thought patterns related to trauma, gaining better control over one’s mindset
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE): Gradually exposes individuals to trauma-related stimuli and cues to reduce avoidance and help manage symptoms
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Uses guided eye movements to help individuals process and integrate traumatic memories; the eye movements can actually reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories
Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT): For instances of early trauma, this treatment specifically helps children, adolescents, and caregivers
Medication: In some cases, medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can help manage symptoms, especially in combination with therapy

At bonmente, our clinicians work collaboratively with patients to create personalized treatment plans that meet patients where they are.

PTSD and Co-Occurring Conditions

PTSD often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, including:

Depression
Insomnia
Anxiety disorders
Substance-use disorders
Bipolar disorder

These co-occurring conditions can complicate diagnosis and treatment but addressing them together leads to more comprehensive and effective care.

Bonmente offers integrated treatment approaches that consider the whole case, not just isolated symptoms.

Virtual Care and PTSD Treatment

Accessibility is a major factor in successful mental health treatment. At bonmente, we offer telepsychiatry that makes it easier than ever for individuals with PTSD to receive care from the safety and comfort of their own space without having to worry about commutes.

Telepsychiatry and teletherapy have revolutionized the way mental health care is delivered. For many individuals with PTSD, this can help them stay in treatment with greater consistency.

Another benefit of telepsych treatment is that it expands access to patients in rural areas or places with limited or even no access to high-quality mental health care services.

The team at bonmente has professionals licensed to provide telepsychiatry services in the state of California, and some can treat patients in Florida and Arizona as well.

So, if you are anywhere in California, you can receive bonmente’s services so long as you have the necessary technology (internet connectivity and a device supporting videoconferencing or audio calls).

What’s more, e-prescribing makes medication management easier than ever. We can remotely fill a prescription that you can pick up at a local pharmacy of your choice.

Reach out to bonmente for professional PTSD treatment.