National PTSD Awareness Day
Chapa-De Indian Health Auburn Grass Valley | Medical Clinic
Today is National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Day. Many people know someone who is suffering from PTSD. Today is a chance to acknowledge the daily struggles of those suffering from PTSD. One of the biggest things you can do for someone with PTSD is try to understand and support them. Keep reading to learn how.
What is PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition. It is caused by experiencing or seeing a scary or stressful event. Many people who go through traumatic events have a hard time adjusting afterwards. However, if the stress caused by the event starts to affect your daily life or doesn’t go away, it may be PTSD.
Who suffers from PTSD
Anyone can suffer from PTSD. It only takes one traumatic moment or event to cause someone to experience PTSD. Some examples of traumatic events that may lead to PTSD are:
- Combat exposure
- Childhood physical abuse
- Sexual violence
- Physical assault
- Being threatened with a weapon
- An accident
Like many other mental health problems, PTSD is caused by a combination of many complex factors. These factors can include:
- Stressful experiences, including the amount and severity of the experience
- Inherited mental risks, such as a family history of anxiety and depression
- Inherited personality traits or temperament
- How your brain regulates chemicals and hormones related to stress
In addition to these possible causes, there are also risk factors that make some people more likely to suffer from PTSD as a result of a traumatic event. These factors include:
- Experiencing intense or long lasting trauma
- Experiencing trauma earlier in life
- Having a job that exposes you to traumatic events, such as a military or first responder job
- Having other mental health problems
- Having substance misuse issues
- Not having a good support system of family and friends
- Having blood relatives with mental health problems
Click HERE to read more about the causes of PTSD.
Symptoms
People experience PTSD in different ways. So, there are many different symptoms of PTSD. Most symptoms can be grouped into four categories:
- Intrusive memories
- Avoidance
- Negative changes in thinking and mood
- Changes in physical and emotional reactions
Each of these categories includes more specific symptoms related to PTSD. Click HERE to read more about potential symptoms of PTSD.
When to get help
It is time to talk to your doctor if you or someone you know:
- Is experiencing PTSD symptoms
- Has suicidal thoughts
- Is struggling to cope following a traumatic event
If you or someone you know hurts themselves or tries to commit suicide, call 911 immediately.
At Chapa-De we are always available to support you. We have a team of psychiatrists and therapists who want to help you meet your goals. Our mental health services include preventing and recovering from PTSD. Click HERE for more information.
If you believe you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD, we want to help. Please call our Auburn location at (530) 887-2810 or our Grass Valley location at (530) 477-8545. You can also visit us online at chapa-de.org.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-8255.
mayoclinic.org
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