Living With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

The Invisible Wounds

• Nearly 4 years since diagnosis

• Speaking publicly about it helps manage the anxiety, fear, and anger

• 22 Veterans commit suicide daily, with PTSD being the leading cause of those suicides

• Hope to put a face to a confusing injury

Why Choose PTSD?

• PTSD, or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of a life-threatening events

• Most survivors of trauma return to normal given a little time. However, some people will have stress reactions that do not go away on their own, or may even get worse over time.

• These individuals may develop PTSD.

What is PTSD?

• An estimated 7.8 percent of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, with women twice as likely as men to develop PTSD.

• The higher percentage in women is caused my things such as rape, sexual assault, and physical attacks.

• About 30 percent of the men and women who have spent time in war zones experience PTSD, with roughly 11% coming from the current wars.

Who Suffers From PTSD?

• Flashbacks- reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating

• Bad dreams

• Frightening thoughts

• Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the experience

• Feeling emotionally numb

• Feeling strong guilt, depression, or worry

• Losing interest in activities that were enjoyable in the past

• Having trouble remembering the dangerous event.

• Being easily startled

• Feeling tense or “on edge”

• Having difficulty sleeping, and/or having angry outbursts.

Symptoms Of PTSD

• There are 2 main types of treatment utilized for PTSD– psychotherapy, or “talk” therapy,

medications or both

• Each individual is unique in treating their PTSD, so what works for one may not work for another

• It is important for anyone with PTSD to be treated by a mental health care provider who is experienced with PTSD.

Treatments For PTSD

• Offer support

• Learn about PTSD

• Talk and listen

• Be understanding of situations that may trigger PTSD symptoms

• Invite them out

• Remind your friend or relative that, with time and treatment, he or she can get better

How Can You Help?