Every June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time to learn about post-traumatic stress disorder and support the people living with it. PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after a traumatic event, and it can affect anyone at any age. This guide covers what PTSD is, its common symptoms, how it is treated, and how you can help. It is for general education and is not medical advice.
What Is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. In the days after trauma, many people feel stress, guilt, anger, fear, anxiety, or sadness. For some, those reactions ease over time. For others, they last and grow into PTSD.
Common Symptoms of PTSD
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, These symptoms often fall into a few groups:
- Reliving the event through unwanted memories, nightmares, or flashbacks
- Avoiding reminders of the event, including places, people, or conversations
- Negative changes in mood or thinking, such as guilt, fear, or feeling detached
- Changes in physical and emotional reactions, such as being easily startled or on edge
Symptoms can make daily life harder at work, at home, and in relationships.
Not Everyone Who Experiences Trauma Develops PTSD
Most people have some PTSD-like symptoms right after a traumatic event, but not everyone develops long-term symptoms. Getting support early, from a loved one or a professional, may help lower the risk. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.
How PTSD Is Treated
PTSD is treatable. The most common treatment is psychotherapy, sometimes called talk therapy. Medication can also help, and many people benefit from a combination of both. A provider can help build a plan that fits your needs. You can learn more about our care for PTSD.
How to Support Someone With PTSD
People with the condition often avoid talking about what happened. You can help by creating a safe, supportive space. A few simple ways:
- Listen without judgment and let them share at their own pace
- Take their feelings seriously
- Learn about the condition so you can better understand what they are going through
- Encourage professional help, and offer to help them find it
- Be patient through good days and hard ones
PTSD and Veterans
Veterans can be at higher risk because of combat and other service-related trauma. June 27 is PTSD Awareness Day, and the National Center for PTSD offers resources for veterans and their families. Our founder, Dr. Melissa Fickey, has extensive experience working with veterans and treating PTSD. She has worked at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, the Bay Pines Veterans’ Hospital in St. Petersburg, the Brooksville VA Clinic, and the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida.
When to Seek Help
Consider reaching out if symptoms last more than a month, get worse, or affect daily life. You do not need to wait for things to become severe. If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about self-harm, call or text 988 in the United States for immediate support.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is PTSD Awareness Month?
PTSD Awareness Month is observed every June, and PTSD Awareness Day is June 27.
Can PTSD be treated?
Yes. It is treatable. Psychotherapy and medication, alone or together, can help many people improve.
What are common symptoms of PTSD?
They include reliving the event, avoiding reminders, negative changes in mood or thinking, and being easily startled or on edge.
How can I help someone with PTSD?
Listen without judgment, take their feelings seriously, learn about the condition, and gently encourage professional help.
Does PTSD Awareness Month focus on veterans?
It can affect anyone, but the month often highlights veterans, who can be at higher risk because of service-related trauma.
Where to Get Help
If you or a loved one is living with PTSD, support is available at Embracing Life Wellness Center. Our team, led by Dr. Melissa Fickey, provides compassionate care at our Florida offices in Riverview, Tampa, and Miami. Call (813) 662-5919 or contact us to schedule a consultation. You are not alone, and help is here when you are ready.
