PTSD Awareness Day: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options
June 27 is PTSD Awareness Day, a time to spread awareness on PTSD, reduce stigma, and help more people understand that support and treatment are available.
Although PTSD is often associated with military service and war veterans, anyone can develop post-traumatic stress disorder after experiencing or witnessing trauma. PTSD can affect survivors of serious accidents, violence, sexual assault, natural disasters, hurricanes, earthquakes, medical trauma, pandemics, or other frightening or life-threatening events.
At Abarca, PTSD Awareness Day is an opportunity to bring attention to the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options connected to this mental health condition—and to remind people that seeking help is a sign of strength.
What Is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that can develop in some people after a shocking, frightening, or dangerous event.
When a person experiences fear or danger, the body can trigger a “fight-or-flight” response. This response helps the body react quickly to protect itself. After trauma, it is common to have stress reactions such as upsetting memories, trouble sleeping, feeling on edge, or avoiding reminders of what happened.
For many people, these reactions improve with time and support. But when symptoms continue for more than a month, interfere with daily life, or make a person feel stressed or frightened even when they are not in danger, it may be PTSD.
Common PTSD Symptoms
PTSD symptoms can look different from person to person. Some people experience symptoms soon after a traumatic event, while others may notice them later. Symptoms can also come and go over time.
Possible PTSD symptoms may include:
- Recurring, unwanted, and upsetting memories of the traumatic event
- Repeated nightmares related to the trauma
- Flashbacks or feeling as if the traumatic event is happening again
- Avoidance of people, places, conversations, activities, or objects that bring up memories of the trauma
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Persistent negative thoughts about oneself, others, or the world
- Feelings of guilt, shame, fear, anger, or emotional numbness
- Irritability or aggressive behavior
- Feeling constantly “on guard” or hypervigilant
- Being easily startled
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Risky, reckless, or self-destructive behavior
Recognizing these signs matters. PTSD is not weakness, and it is not a personal failure. It is a real mental health condition that can be treated.
PTSD Risk Factors
Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. A person’s risk can depend on many factors, including the type of trauma, the support available afterward, and their personal history.
Possible factors that may increase the risk of PTSD include:
- Living through a dangerous or traumatic event
- Being physically injured
- Seeing another person injured or killed
- Experiencing childhood trauma
- Feeling intense fear, horror, or helplessness during the event
- Having little or no social support after the trauma
- Facing added stress after the event, such as the loss of a loved one, job, home, or sense of safety
- Having a history of mental illness or substance use
Understanding these risk factors can help families, caregivers, employers, and communities respond with greater awareness and compassion.
PTSD Treatment Options
PTSD affects people differently, so treatment should be guided by an experienced mental health professional. What works for one person may not work the same way for another, but effective treatment options are available.
The main PTSD treatment options may include psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help people process trauma, manage symptoms, and develop coping strategies. Certain evidence-based therapies are designed specifically to help people recover from trauma. Medication may also be recommended by a qualified healthcare provider to help manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or sleep difficulties.
If you or someone you know may be experiencing PTSD, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health provider. Early support can make a meaningful difference in quality of life.
Why It Matters to Spread Awareness on PTSD
Many people living with PTSD do not seek help because they feel ashamed, misunderstood, or unsure of where to begin. PTSD Awareness Day helps challenge those barriers.
Whether someone is a veteran, a survivor of sexual assault, a first responder, a caregiver, or someone who lived through a natural disaster, serious accident, or other traumatic event, they deserve understanding and access to care.
Spreading awareness helps more people recognize the signs of PTSD, support loved ones, and take the first step toward treatment.
PTSD Resources
To help spread awareness on PTSD, the following resources can support individuals, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals seeking to learn more:
- The National Center for PTSD, part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has a website with targeted information for anyone interested in PTSD (including veterans, family, and friends) and for professional researchers and health care providers. The site also offers videos and information about an online app called PTSD Coach.
- Clinician’s Guide to Medications for PTSD: This material was developed for researchers, providers, and helpers by the U.S. Department for Veterans Affairs.
- Information for health care professionals: The National Center for PTSD offers a page of general information about the effects of events such as natural disasters and terrorist acts, reviews of disaster research, and useful resources for care providers.
- Information for the general public: The National Center for PTSD offers resources about the effects of PTSD and trauma on families, children, and relationships. Materials include resources for families and veterans and suggestions for helping caregivers respond to children.
Abarca Supports PTSD Awareness Day
PTSD Awareness Day is a reminder that healing is possible and that no one should have to face trauma alone. By learning the signs, sharing trusted resources, and encouraging people to seek support, we can continue to spread awareness on PTSD, reduce stigma, and improve access to care.
This article is for educational awareness and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a crisis, contact emergency services or a crisis support line right away.
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This blog was written by Lillian Colón López, MPH, Pharm. D., Clinical Client Advisor at Abarca Health.
About Abarca Health
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