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When is National PTSD Awareness Day?

June 27th is National PTSD Awareness Day.

What is National PTSD Awareness Day?

Depression is bad enough. Posttraumatic stress disorder masquerading as depression is even worse. It can come out of any kind of trauma, but a host of myths still haunt the public understanding of PTSD. National PTSD Awareness Day fights those myths and promotes good mental health for people suffering from trauma.

It used to be the bane of only combat veterans. Now we know that’s not true. Sexual assault and military combat are the most common causes. Violent crime, car accidents, and natural catastrophes can also produce PTSD. Especially intense experiences, or ones that involve an injury, increase the chances PTSD will develop.

Experts now estimate that 70% of U.S. adults have experienced a traumatic event, and 20% will develop PTSD. That means you probably know someone who has been traumatized, maybe even someone with PTSD.

National PTSD Awareness Day reminds us to be compassionate and to recognize how far-reaching the effects of PTSD are on its victims.

Facts about National PTSD Awareness Day!

  • Symptoms of PTSD often—not just sometimes—often show up years after the traumatic event.
  • Just as it helps with stress and depression, exercise helps manage PTSD.
  • Everyone handles trauma differently, which means everyone has a different threshold for what qualifies as ‘traumatic.’
  • People with PTSD experience different kinds of flashbacks, sometimes only involving anxiety and overwhelm with no vivid picture in the mind.
  • Not everyone with PTSD has flashbacks.

How to celebrate National PTSD Awareness Day:

  • Talk to a friend or family member with PTSD. Write a letter if you can’t visit or call. Offer your support, and encourage them by telling them things you value about them.
  • Learn more about PTSD so that you can be more sensitive to your loved ones who suffer from this disorder.

What’s the hashtag for National PTSD Awareness Day?

Spread the word about PTSD by using #NationalPTSDAwarenessDay on social media.